Hello everybody,
I have been wondering if my rose seedlings that bloom after 60 days are worth keeping. I remember that sometime ago I read about premature flowering, but I do not remember what it means in terms of good or bad seedling. In my short time experimenting with rose breeding, I notice 3 types of development:
1- Small seedlings that bloom after 60 days, although there are still small plants, with promising development.
2- Seedlings that do not bloom, but are vigorous growers.
3- All the other ones that blooms or do not, but their development is poor and the flowers not so good.
I would appreciate some input and if the 60 days bloomers are any good on the long run.
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What Ralph Moore frequently stated in our many visits was early flowering types were what he sought. They tended to be those which made the types of garden subjects he desired. He raised MANY ultra vigorous monsters which seldom flowered, if ever and he often stuck them somewhere to see if they would ever flower and if they exhibited any of the influences he sought. I’m not aware of anything he ever released in that category. If they grew but didn’t flower, of what use were they?
If a seedling is a poor plant, I think twice about retaining it for any reason. You could raise the point it MAY contain genes you’re seeking to use, but how long are you willing to beat that dead horse trying to get them into something worthwhile growing and using? If the plant is unhealthy, not vigorous or the flowers are not decent, I dump them. I don’t have the luxury of six acres and six wells nor the ability to hire help when required as Sequoia Nursery had. I guess you could also raise the point that the early flowering types may not have the Arctic hardiness you seek and if that’s one of your prime critera for selection, you may want to keep that in mind. If not, why wouldn’t you desire the early flowering types? The buying public does.
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Thank you so much, Roseseek,
Very good point with the early flowering types, if they can develop into nice and healthy roses, for as you say, if the buying public does desire them, then there might be a good reason to keep them. I am not willing to keep those weak or poor flowering types for a second or third crosses. I think I am becoming very selective about which roses may bring the results I desire. Like you, I do not have the luxury of plenty space for my mini breeding program, reason why I also have to discard those seedlings that show signs of " no success". I am however very excited to see what happens with my seedlings from last year, still dormant here in the northern hemisphere. Will they withstand the cold and come back to show beautiful flowers ? I will soon be able to witness. Luckily we enter real spring time soon when they all wake up.
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