I’ve tried to search this forum for information about this, but I’m not getting what I’m looking for with the terms I’m using.
Are there any threads here (or information anywhere else) on how scent is inherited? Does it tend to come from the pollen parent or seed parent? Or does it tend to show up in the F2 generation?
If you have any links to send me to (even about other plants), I would appreciate it!
Thanks.
Hi!
Its not a simple trait due to one parent. This is a very complex theme. Its inherited via several biochemical pathways and linked to colour of roses (pigmentation and odours are biochemically linked in several ways).
Grx!
Arno
New info here:
There is even more to it than that, I believe. How fast the oils disperse and degrade, the quantities of chemicals being dispersed, when (ie. what conditions) the chemicals disperse and degrade all seem to be very different in every cultivar.
Also, to restate what Arno is saying in a simple way, I have had seedlings from highly fragrant parents show low scent, seedlings from non-fragrant parents show high fragrance and seedlings from moderately fragrant parents show extreme fragrance.
My own ‘Moon within Tidal Waves’ is a perfect example of both of my comments. Not only is the fragrance more intense than even Fragrant Cloud, which makes it more fragrant than even Shocking Blue, but the oils and chemicals are so heavy
that I cannot keep the cut blooms indoors because our eyes become so irritated and we cannot stop sneezing. The oils permeate every space of the place. The scent is like both parents (fruit, old rose and intense lemon) bure more intense than any of its parents or grandparents. Yellows seems to degrade and release oils the quickest. I imagine that pairing yellows with mauves or other cyanin types is helpful. Sometimes, though, there is too much of a good thing. New Zealand is pretty intense but the petals of it and its sport dont really hld up well to the rain. However, unlike many strongly scented roses, mildew isnt really an issue. Secret and its sport are similar. However, Pop John Paul II seems to have evaded both of these issues and have a fragrance even stronger tha its parent, Secret. Go figure.
Another fun comparison it Violet Mist and Sweet Arlene, which are sisters (among with some other mauve and russet minis from Dee Bennett). VM is pretty much scentless despite being bred from a long line of fragrant mauves. Sweet Arlene smells intense. However, VM is pretty healthy for a mini. SA mildew like none other with poor vigor. The interesting thing is that if you let the blooms of VM die inside the home, the scent comes out. It seems to smell wants the petals degrade. Otherwise, it smells pretty much like plastic.
Thanks for your replies. Jadae, I happen to have Sweet Arlene and Always a Lady (both by Dee Bennett), both of which have great scent.