Wonder if anybody has experience based on examining seed x-sections before and during stratifying after concluding a failed cross?
Checking a cross post stratification that continues to fail - done to decide whether to continue- but this time cut fat hard seeds in half.
Found below and on every fat seed. Hollow core where l believe cotyledon etc and other internals should be.
Never have checked before stratifying, seeds through x section cut.
No evidence of bugs drilling.
So don’t know if pre-stratifying condition marking a failed cross or deterioration during stratifying.
Wondering also - because if a pre straification condition can use it as diagnostic at harvest time - ie x failed - avoid unnecessary work
ot
Do you employ “the float test” after removal from the hip? I would certainly be concerned if any modern-esque hybrid had seed that all floated, and would pull out the nail clippers to open (at least) one to see if it had a living embryo.
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It is most frustrating to throw out an entire almost-progeny.
Not normally anymore as did a test with straight up rugosa “Lac la nonne” seed, kept both floaters and sinkers and planted as separate. Both germinated.
I guess l will recross a few next season and cut apart fresh seed to see if whole or hollow.
I seen this before now that remember. It was this fall and used too aggressive a blender to get seeds out of hip.
It split sometimes and a hollow pith in every seed split. Thought it was blender, now l wonder. Pictures in my blender thread.
Second time done this cross on two different R xanthina as seed parent ( first original purchase and second an off-spring l germinated from her seed - 1 of 9).
Rugosas (“beach roses”) are a notable exception to the rule. Water can serve to aid spreading the species.
Hi Phil
I remember your post now too late, leaving my left flank exposed.
Right wing protected as sinkers germinated, pundit from way back l believe dented sinkers .
Nothing is absolute and middling ground acceptable.
I put this hypothesis to allow kicking around.
“If failed, failed cross seed has a void.”
Snapped off a winter exposed uncrossed hip off same bush where crosses done on another cane, spilt seeds in half, no void but dry as an old boot.
Of course don’t have any crossed hips left on bush to compare.
Now to be proof, for only one bush and one dud cross, have to keep everything else constant.
Need to do again with crossed and uncrossed hips from same bush in fall and same day and preferably nearly same time.
Thanks, many crushing defeats and dark dark moments with crosses and species germinating before hitched a ride on 1920s UK RHA paper.
Took small liberties with their temperature basis. Got paper via, l believe an Indiana contributor.
Also opened my eyes to the climate around here in winter / spring that is severely wanting. And lots $ loses l don’t regret but asked why did l do that?
Crossing? still working on improving odds while remaining true hardy convert.
You’re in rose paradise and more of those people around with similar conditions.
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It’s true though! I still have family (chosen and related) up in the “Bloody cold!” areas like Medicine Hat, AB and Dawson Creek, BC. So I can send them seed and/or plants to test for hardiness that I breed from hardier stock. Just because I can’t abide the cold doesn’t mean those that can don’t deserve beautiful roses too. I used to be them, and I hungered for more possibilities. I’m so very many ways…
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