I remember quite a few of you were working with Cotton Candy, a beautiful rambler from Moore. Although I can only remember Paul specifically. However, those who were working with Cotton Candy-- what kind of results did you see? This rose is in many parentages of miniature roses, the most famous is probably Sweet Chariot.
I will be finally working with Cotton Candy (provided by Paul, of course), which is a beautiful rose in its own right. The foilage is very glossy, and the flowers are nicely formed in many clusters.
I’m seeing Cotton Candy X R. kordesii in the near future, although my kordesii hasn’t formed buds, and Cotton Candy is on the verge of exploding with flowers. Although, I may use Cotton Candy pollen, but if I remember discussions 3 or 4 years ago, its pollen is supposedly sterile.
Enrique,
Last season was my first real effort in using ‘Cotton Candy’ in breeding, so my results were limited, I did however, get one superb rose from a cross using ‘St Switun’. It flowers in large clusters of 3.5 inch medium pink blooms, very OGR in form. The foliage is highly glossy and very beautiful. I suspect it will be a large shrub or climber, but as it is only a year old, I can’t say just yet. I think ‘Cotton Candy’ has great potential as a seed parent. I cannot comment on its polle fertility since I haven’t used it for that. Best of luck with it!
Paul
Thanks Paul…
So it appears that Cotton Candy will create glossy leaves roses. Which is good because I find its leaves in itself incredible, and so far, naturally resistant.
Just to be safe, I will collect some of its pollen. Just in case it blooms and finishes before kordesii is able to make flowers. And thanks for the plant. It is growing at a hard to grow place (sort of in a sloop-- so it doesn’t get much water). I’ve planted other climbers there before, but only Cotton Candy has survived that spot.
I think more people should do work with Cotton Candy. I think it has great potential to create some glorious new shrubs that bloom like mad. Glad to hear you are doing some work with it Enrique.
Paul
I’ve actually made a few intresting banksia crosses. The pollen is at least a month old-- but hopefully, it will be fine.
I am finally getting to use Cotton Candy… the banksia crosses didn’t take, and I suspect this was because it was old. After that, I didn’t make any real attempt after words.
I’ve done a few crosses of Arthur Bell on it.
Well–
All my efforts were ruined…
Rain.
I have collected pollen of Queen Elizabeth, so I will attempt to pollinate Cotton Candy once more if the weather permits me.
Enrique, I know you have seen someone mention these 2 x 2 plastic baggies before. I finally got some and two days ago I pollinated over 200 blooms and put those baggies on them because it was suppose to rain this morning. It went right over us with no rain. Now you know what would have happened if I had not put those baggies on those boooms. Yep, it would have rained like crazy.
Patrick
The rain caught me by suprise-- And I’ve done so many crosses with Mutabilis’ pollen on Applejack and Baby Love.
Those sound like great crosses with lots of disease resistance. By the way I want to thank you Enrique for mentioning Greenmantle in one of your other posts. I just love it. The scent is wonderful. I will now get another one just to put out near my back patio. I have done many crosses with it and will have to wait to see if anything takes. Have you tried it yet this year?
Patrick
CC reminds me of Chevy Chase.
No Patrick, but I did raise several OP seedlings.
One looks very good after 3 years, but it hasn’t vigor. But then again, It was covered by the OP seedlings of bracteate X clinophylla.
It hasn’t scented foilage but it seems to be repeat blooming. Nothing spectacular the individual blooms. A light red and very informal bloom. But I’m saving it because I think it has a lot of potential once it’s a mature bush. I’m thinking like Greenmantle but with larger blooms.
Sadly, the foilage isn’t scented. But it’s polished similarly like Aloha and Abraham Darby.
Wow, read the lines mentioning R. multib.
I love looking back at old articles 
Link: www.bulbnrose.com/Roses/breeding/Wulff/Wulff_roxburghii.html
‘Cotton Candy’ has turned out to be seriously troubled by Blackspot in my climate. Because of this, coupled with the fact that it never gave me seedlings other than pinks, I have abandoned it as a breeder. Just thought you’d like to know.
Paul
That’s a bummer, but not surprising of many modern roses between 1940-1990-ish.
I wish I had the room for Chevy Chase. I still think it could have similar possibilities. But I doubt it’s not very fertile =/
It’s a trouble free rose for me Paul.
Even though I haven’t used it often… I’m glad to have this rose for the display. It is no wonder why it’s called “Cotton Candy”-- it does look like it when it’s in full bloom.
It grows on a low gate at a spot that was particularily hard for me to grow roses. This is because the area is very dry and water runs off too quickly.
And it’s disease free for me.