Although the development of new Hulthemia hybrids is my primary focus, I have interests in other unusual roses as well. One of my other interests is to develop a good repeat blooming crested moss miniature rose.
On the website HelpMeFind, the crested moss trait is given this description: "The fringed and mossy sepals project from the buds in such a way that they resemble little three-cornered hats like the French tricorne that Napoleon often wore" (for more information about crested moss type roses, please google "Chapeau de Napoleon rose", or for an excellent description, please go to Paul Barden's website at http://paulbardenroses.com/centifolias/cristata.html). My interest in the crested moss roses was first piqued by Mr. Ralph Moore several years ago. He spent more than 30 years working with the crested moss roses before he got any repeat blooming seedlings. He ended up with a handful of repeat blooming crested moss varieties that have not been released. One of his repeat blooming hybrids that I have had the opportunity to work with is his "Red Crested Moss". It produces large red semi-double to double blooms and has a fair amount of cresting on its sepals. Although it rarely sets hips (I have only seen one), it has proven to have good pollen fertility. I had not used it much until last year, but was very happy to see that many hips were produced and was even more pleased to see an excellent germination rate among several of the crosses where it was used as the pollen parent. The batch seen below, is from a cross of 'Pearl Sanford' X "Red Crested Moss". I may have planted them too densely to allow for good growth.
While it is possible that the first generation may not exhibit any of the crested moss type sepals, I am very excited to see what develops over the next few weeks!
I love the crested moss roses too, and was fortunate enough to have one of Mr. Moore's lovely experimental crested roses come to me as a pass-along from a friend. Will be eager to see what develops from your crosses in this line as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Sally,
ReplyDeleteHave you had the chance to use the crested moss rose in any crosses? I suspect that the trait is recessive, but do not have solid evidence for that idea (other than the amount of time that it took Mr. Moore to produce repeat bloomers). The results of the above cross should help clarify this.
I am not a hybridizer myself, though I have dabbled with the process just for fun--enjoyed showing my grandies how to do it for themselves as a little home-school lesson awhile back. I am just enjoying this Moore rose in my garden & it is lovely!! Light pink, semi-double flowers--blooms in trusses--amazing fragrance, very healthy & vigorous with colorful stems and fall foliage. I understand Mr. Moore did not think the cresting sufficient for what he was looking for in a crested rose, and that it why he didn't release it. But it is a lovely garden rose, and (at the urging of friends) he had finally agreed to release it for sale, but never accomplished that before his death. Thankfully he had given it away to a number of people and it is being passed around for lovers of roses to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI tried Crested Moss the last two years as a pollen parent, but none of the crosses took. Oh well, spring is almost upon us here in Oregon. I have the goal of breeding a yellow crested repeat bloomer. I think finding the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow may be easier, but I'm still working on it. Good luck with your seedlings.
ReplyDeleteJeff
Hi Jeff,
ReplyDeleteThank you, and best wishes for success in finding a great yellow crested repeat bloomer!
Jim
Hope you are still doing this wonderful creative work in 2018
ReplyDeleteGrew a crested moss rose bush for three years and enjoyed it tremendously. I lost it because of lack of water when I made a medical emergency trip and it wasn’t watered as needed. I am seriously searching for another one.
ReplyDelete