Just wondering if you guys over there in the States have access to Rosa Praelucens yet. I am not sure if it has been released out of China yet, but its one of those High Altitude roses, decaploid, really think it has a lot to offer, would give anything to use it in one breeding cycle.
As far as I know, it is not available in the US. Apparently it is also not available in Australia. As you say, it might have a lot to offer. That high ploidy may bring with it some fertility challenges, but I guess we’ll learn about that if we ever get to work with it.
The high ploidy may be of some concern, I use Hurst’s Septet Formulae when crossing with species. I reckon there is a good chance the septets will not be balanced 5 - 5 , as in hexploid roses , most are not balanced 4 - 2 . With R. Praelucens 6 - 4 would be ok but 8 - 2 would be awesome. As you can see I would first use the pollen.
I think the challenge would be worth it, have a friend in Australia who is up with the rose people in China, dont worry I am working on it.
Decaploid, eh? Geez. The bloom characteristics remind me of both Rosa roxburghii and Rosa moyesii. Its in the same “section” as Rosa roxburghii. But sections are sometimes are arbitrary as the borders of a country. Rosa primula, from the Pimp. section (haha), has been shown to be genetically closely related to Rosa roxburghii.
I’d love to know how the ploidy breaks down. There is no saying if its an unusual breakdown or if it as simple as 5+5. It still wouldnt stop me from trying it on stuff, lol. Genetics are sometimes like Tetris, and time is like a giant iron mallet hiding in the darkness 
I would 'nt mind if it had an unusual break down, would make life a little easy, 5 septets going into a tetraploid ovary would be a lot eehhhhhhhhh. Rosa Sweginzowii which I’ll be using this spring is hexaploid and is 3+3, should be interesting.
Genetics are sometimes like Tetris, and time is like a giant iron mallet hiding in the darkness
That is wonderful Michael! Thanks for the chuckle! Kim