Altough this is my first post I have been combing through this forum for months now, so firstly I would like to say thank you all for everything that I have already learned. Your wonderful community has already had a significant influence on my passion for roses and my long term aspirations as a breeder.
It was just this April that I bought one single Iceberg rose, fast forward to November: Fully down the rabbit hole. I’ve now acquired as many roses as my budget will allow and collected a three species roses. I wake up every morning to check on my garden and my seedlings, then I spend every evening doing research and planning. I’ve attended a local rose society meeting. And boy have I spent entirely too many hours roasting under Oklahoma’s inhospitable summer sun. I’m sure you all can relate.
All of that just to say that I look forward to becoming a contributing member and sharing my progress (and inevitable frustrations) with you guys.
Now onto my question: does anyone have any suggestions on how to acquire rootstock? I’m looking specifically for IXL but really I would be happy with anything except multiflora since it’s invasive here. I know that UC Davis has a program but the $150 minimum cost isn’t doable for me right now.
Does anyone have any suggestions for acquiring rootstock?
Welcome! Yes! I can share small cuttings of virus indexed IXL; virus indexed Pink Clouds; virus indexed Gloire des Rosomanes. I have collected virus indexed stocks for years and shed those which were not suited to my chilly coastal climate. Oh, and virus indexed De la Grifferaie. I don’t know when is good for you to attempt rooting cuttings, but we may find it better to wait until after the holidays for weather issues as well as the seasonal crush on the mail. I totally understand the inhibition the cost from Davis is. Thankfully, there have been others who also wanted such things so they’ve been spread around a bit. All I wish for the cuttings is reimbursement for postage.You’ll have to root the original pieces and grow them on until they provide the gauge and quantities you want. What’s your pleasure?
Oh wow, that would be amazing. It was actually through reading your blog that I learned about IXL. Living in tornado alley, it was your mention of its thick canes being good against strong winds that appealed to me.
If I may pick your brain a little… I would like to plant a mother specimen in my backyard. I have a spot with a little afternoon protection where it would be allowed to grow quite large, but in Oklahoma City it’s not uncommon for every day in July to reach 100+ degrees at 80+% humidity, and we tend to have long periods of drought that are periodically interrupted by the torrential downpour of thunderstorms. So I’m curious if any of those rootstocks might be better equipped for that extreme environment.
And holding off through the holidays sounds like a good idea, thank you again!
Not a bad idea, and I have been considering this, but ultimately I want to grow a large mother plant in my yard. And one purpose for the rootstock would be to propagate and selling non-patented roses locally, which would contribute to its proliferation if/when it suckers or the grafts fail.
Despite this, I have contemplated collecting some strictly for my own use in containers. But despite its invasiveness, it is still illegal to remove plants of any kind from local and state parks. Not that I’m entirely above still doing so (since it’s invasive), but I thought I’d inquire about other options first before waltzing through a local wilderness park, shovel in hand, risking a misdemeanor, haha.
We are in the same boat haha I have also been looking for rootstock but I don’t know which will do well here (Central Texas). I have had 4 grafted roses that have perished. Two unknown mildewed badly and two Dr. Huey from J&P that rotted. One of the Dr. Huey from root rot by heavy rain so I don’t blame it.
Does anyone have rootstock recommendations for Central Texas? I have considered Fortuniana since it does well in the south and Dr. Huey since it seems most popular and may survive with proper care. I saw IXL gets sunburned, so maybe it’s not best here? I am also interested in learning more about Pink Clouds
Kim, I purchased Cardinal Hume late this season to hybridize and to test rootstock from your blog. It has mildew but it’s one I’m very excited for.
Texas producers have long used Huey and multiflora. What they use today is anyone’s guess. IXL’s sun scald issue is more concerning for standards. Bush shanks shouldn’t be a problem unless you’re generating long shanks which are left above ground. Fortuniana has great vigor but the majority of the root system remains very high in the soil, making it susceptible to mechanical and freeze damage, more so than other types. Try Hume. It worked well for me in SoCal, particularly for standards up to 4’. I hope these help. Thankfully, I’ve never had to garden anywhere in Texas.
Huey is suited to arid, alkaline clay while multiflora types are better suited to more acidic, wetter soils. IXL does make long, thick whips but they are never sufficient to remain unstaked, free standing as standards. If the shanks for bushes are long enough to provide exposure for scald, then you need to do something to eliminate that sun exposure. High temps simply blast any remaining flowers and help to bring flowering for the season to an end. I have no idea whether your conditions would provide black spot issues for it or not.
Doc. Phooey is the typical stock here in CenTex, perhaps as much as anything because Certified, Paramount, and the other growers in Tyler, Tx use it, but as Kim says, it tolerates the calcerous soils around here. Much (if not most) of it will probably have RMV, though it doesn’t always show on a happy plant.
Looks like you are acquiring a source via your sucker.
Imo, own root may be more desireable, if you have a cultivar that is good on its own feet.
Yeah I go for ownroot where I get the chance. It’s a shame most rootstock may be virused. I was planning on buying a couple grafted roses and lopping the canes off to use the rootstock for experiments next season.
This Dr. Huey rootstock died on me and the Cardinal Hume I’m growing isn’t mature enough so I was going to opt for the above…
I have a Multiflora which has been handed down from most of the commercial growers in my area. one of the oldest growers won’t use any other Multiflora. This one was handed down from the Rumseys in Glenorie NSW
It would be interesting to find out if it is thornless. Mr. Rumsey was Ralph Moore’s Australian agent for some years and Mr. Moore sold a thornless multiflora in the US he called “Rum 10” as he obtained it from Mr. Rumsey. HOW it entered the US is anyone’s guess. 'Rum 10' Rose
According to the reference at HMF, his agent in Australia sent it to him. That’s probably how rose replant disease was spread to the U.S., too (just kidding!)
