rony's roses

[Stefanie]

Hi Rony,

good to hear from you again

Dont take it too hard with the seedling successrate. I knew a leading rosarian who, each year, took thousands(!) of seedlings and was happy if half of them took!

The easy method is actually quite cheap: riversand, that is kept moist, no protective plastic cover (as fungi seems to love that climate too) but some are just not meant to live

[elemire]

Originally Posted by Stefanie

The easy method is actually quite cheap: riversand, that is kept moist, no protective plastic cover (as fungi seems to love that climate too) but some are just not meant to live

Actually, from my experience it does not work without protective cover, unless you do it in a greenhouse. It is practically impossible to keep even moisture and temperature level in not closed environment, which diminishes the success rate (and that's also why commercial mist propagators work so well). Also with our summers, it might be too cold for semi ripe cuttings without extra cover (hardwoods root best at +15C, unripes at +25).

Otherwise, fail rate here also is fairly high without using advanced methods, watching the temperature where the cuttings are, etc. It seems to be fairly environment related, I have a friend who had about 90% success rate in her old home in the winterless climate, and has only about 1% rate now, in her new home, using the same methods.

[Paul Narramore]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00kn0sn

My own method of taking hardwood rose cuttings is a bit different from this. Last year I took a number of cuttings of 'Champagne Moment', 9" in length, and the thickness of a pencil. As above I cut above a bud and below another and used rooting compound. I then made up a mixture of 50/50 general purpose compost and vermiculite, watered the mixture then inserted the cuttings. These were then stored in the greenhouse. I had thought about covering them with a polythene bag but didn't. So nearly a year later, I've had about a 90% success rate. A few months ago I transfered them into individual pots, not really advisable as the roots had not really become too well established however I didn't lose any.

I wish I could say the same about the softwood cuttings I took in the Spring. Using the same method but covering them with polythene bags this time, I had nowhere near the same success rate. Botrytus set in and I was too late with spraying them with fungicide, and almost all died on me. I shall stick to hardwood cuttings in September from now on.

[elemire]

There also is another issue with softwood cuttings in spring summer - overwintering. Last 2 years I had ok success in a small greenhouse, but most of them croaked in the winter, when freeze/unfreeze cycles started. It takes about a month for a cutting to produce first roots, then another 2-3 to produce baby canes. With the winter cuttings it is safer, for example a rambler that I rooted in this winter, by now is about 1 meter high (transferred to the full ground in May), and should harden enough before the winter (but still be flexible enough to cover if need be in extreme weather).

Unfortunately sometimes we get cuttings in non ideal situation, so trying out all sorts of methods helps to develop a working method for all sorts of conditions.

[ronymaxwell]

The recent sun after all that rain has brought the roses out. They are starting to look like they should instead of being washed out or balled. This is Wimi.

Painted Moon.

Royal Celebration.

Chicago Peace.

Blue For You.

Simply The Best, with a close up.


Joseph'sCoat.

Valentine Heart.

And Alec's Red.

What a difference the sun makes.

[Stefanie]

Wow Rony,

beautiful roses and I'm glad that the sun is up and about. I heard that you guy's experiencing a rather wet summer.

I love “Wimi”. Unfortunately I did not get a plant when I was overseas (forgot completely about it….) but I’ll keep my eyes out for one.

[ronymaxwell]

Hi Stefanie. The sun has been out for a week after three months of rain! A bit late but something, I suppose, though how long it will last... ??? Hope you're well and enjoying a better climate.

[Stefanie]

Don't know so much about the better climate Rony. Presently it's rather wintery here and today we were forecast a max temperature of 16C and that's exactly where we are now. The cat's are looking longingly into the fireplace - maybe I'll crack down a little later and do them the honour

[SerenaSYH]

Wonderful seeing your new set of blooms Rony! I'm sure the garden is looking totally wonderful!!!! Heat over here is really awful. Roses are having a real rough season! So seeing everyone's roses is a very pleasant change of pace.

[ronymaxwell]

Seems the wrong way round, doesn't it - cool in Africa and roasting in North America. Then again, is it your winter season, Stefanie?
Serena, the roses are looking good now, but the sun isn't set to last - more rain forecast. Better make the best of it while I can.