“Life just below zero “ - or “slush ice - cold water” slushy zone,
Funny thing it works good to extremely well for me for bone hardy rose type seeds. But not always as for those who use the wisened ancient ways because others before did and they said it works - and it does for others, of course it does and sometimes it doesn’t based on posting here.
The 125 year Wisely RHS documented experiment of good success with “warm climate roses” at 4C proves it - no real cold snow and ice long periods of months, near Wisely facility. SIL lives stone throw away as l have.
The method testing at 4C was found lacking for me and my hardy roses seed. One germination in two seasons …
Corrected T and duration at to 50-60%. of winter a.k.a gave me my first real successes … and in germinating my crossing tries. Will never go back as a waste of time with no science basis and simulation of my garden climate the roses and seeds experience.
Have not tired any lotusland type seeds based on test growing the parents 25 years ago. Waste of time in end for my garden climate without heated greenhouse that produced Red Dawn. Gads Simonet et al were a smart fellows.
Glad you finally found Lykkefund source over the years.
After years of hunting in vain for “Hybrida", ‘Lykkefund’ honestly seemed like a sort of consolation prize. However, I quickly came to appreciate its many virtues, and in hindsight was probably rather lucky to have been introduced to it instead. I hope that it delivers results on similar levels for you!
Unfortunate as my R helenae hybrida has its canes pruned by winter every time so far (not as hardy as Lykkefund - both from Denmark vendor).
Wasted bud wood imo, though this year have to remember to take some cuttings.
Rosenposten shows as available, also lykkefund and helenae starkodder.
Are you in a research facility?
Hybrida only bloomed once, the year after l planted it. Superior color for a brief moment in time. Starkodder lasted about the blink of an eye in my garden.
Maybe bloom this next coming spring as put on some length this season and age.
I do work at a research facility, in a manner of speaking, but not personally doing work directly related to any of this. Technically, it should be possible to import as a private citizen, but the hurdles are major due to strict post-entry quarantine requirements. I will probably just have to enjoy any breeding progress with “Hybrida” vicariously through you for the foreseeable future. There’s a small chance that some genuine R. helenae will eventually trickle its way back into U.S. availability, too, so that’s another thread to keep pulling at.
Ok no problem. I welcome and value your input comments concerns and suggestions.
Out today sizing up both plants for (hybrida/ lykee) cuttings. For me lykee should be the priority for me as backup. But will take hybrida.
Noticed hip “color change” is not going to be the indicator on my plant. L83 hip cross feeder (layman term) stem blackened and hip still green but first desiccation showing on it.
About 50% seeds look “normal”, reasonable size and fullness, others immature and small emaciated ones. Size of likely duds like “beggeriana”.
Wow, that’s truly impressive! I’ve never gotten a hip from that before, not even swelling after pollination. I’m really happy that you got there with ‘Lykkefund’. Maybe it can help tame those wicked thorns… it seems like a very good pairing to me, traits-wise. Any offspring would probably be more fertile than ‘Polstjarnan’, too.
Yes one crossed hip is also a big, no a huge, step forward for me for trying cross it.
As to germination chances, to pump up my confidence, l remind myself l cleaned up on a germinating score with the species R . beggeriana a few years back.
And balance that record with grounding thought “past no guarantee of the future”.
But the try and success on step 1, gives a rip roaring adrenaline rush that keeps me going.
Forgot one slightly humorous (to me anyways) and always true story that goes along with Finn ancestry and full disclosure on the discovery of “The Hip” - at least in my garden’s historical rose folklore and sense of (un?) fortuitous irony.
About week before l had a visit from a rosarian. During a tour l stopped at the rose. With wizen knowledge, great pontification and detail l pointed to the apparently barren cane and explained all pollinations below cross marker were fails or victims of predations etc.. No remains found, just gone … like frontyard cluster of Lykkefund hips from crossing with x AnB.
Explained this weekend to them found “one only” and not lying … was it crossed?
A 80:20 chance as pretty ruthless in ensuring every one crossed on cane during bloom when set the target zone (and not that many < lucky 13) - old plant and in decline due to beside tree and in full shade.
Germination success now hyper critical for me and credibility
…. hence the “glue” comment in my discovery note.
Update Oct 5 2025
Found a Caroyal cross with Lykkefund.
Below is the grand total of 3 seeds from 2 pollen parents, plus an op. I see no meaningful physical difference. Three crossed seeds l call better then zero, but also zero margin for failure.
I’d bet that it is a genuine cross, too, at least with something other than ‘Polstjarnan’. I would be shocked to find out that ‘Polstjarnan’ produces enough viable pollen to do the deed. Still, even if it were a seemingly near-impossible accidental self, that could still have the potential give you a more fertile version of ‘Polstjarnan’. Then you could cross that with ‘Lykkefund’ and have even more options! Whatever you get from that hip, if it grows, could be something very useful.
That’s amazing! I have high hopes for that combo. Also, there are usually a surprising number of seeds in those hips, so I hope it will not disappoint!
Removed Lykee seed crosses with hardy pollen parents from fridge on Jan 19 2026, from chill down to -1C for 90 days. Couple days at +15C in melted ice water bath.
Into water saturated pearlite tray thats on heated mat.
Seeds in the “pearlite ground” represents coming full circle from 6 years ago (Jan 2020 musing if a good rose). If germinate prog finished - can be done.
I may have found another F1? potential pathway to new hardy rambler using an existing rose derived from Helenae hybrida.
Norwegian cross of R. majalis × Rosa helenae ‘Hybrida’. Hybrida same parent imo of Lykkefund because l always believe the Nordics.
Named “Ran” by 1972 by Arne Lunstad. Does not demonstrate “ climbing” tendency img.
Had it around 4 winters and it is hardy with a reliable once bloom. “Ignored it” as never seen it set hips.”
On a Bermuda weather stroll and pruning day today img today l noticed 2 hips on bush and one on ground. Few seeds but better looking than my fall harvest of Lykkefund x hardy. Into the “warm stratification chamber.
Need to see if can back cross Ran to get back “climbing tendency” as it has hardy (use lykkefund) next summer. Hybrida also available if it blooms.
and full disclosure on the discovery of “The Hip” - at least in my garden’s historical rose folklore and sense of (un?) fortuitous irony.
