In a previous post I already showed a couple of new seedlings coming from 'Darlow's Enigma' that have the Hulthemia blotch. There have been a few more, but I think that the one shown below probably has the best blotch of this group so far. The bloom lasted several days.
There has been one crested moss that has the blotch. Although the cresting and blotch are not that impressive, it is a start into new territory and I am very happy that it seems to have good powdery mildew resistance.
Seen below are a couple more 2013 seedlings. Because of their novelty, they have survived "the cut" so far.
The final seedling below is shown both "with" and "without" anthers. Because of the superior cleanliness of it's parentage, the anthers from this it's first bloom, were used in crosses with other roses. There was enough pollen for 30 crosses.
About 1/3 to 1/2 of the seedlings have yet to bloom for the first time.
A sea of little blooms. Love it. I like the five pedal red and yellow. Yellow anthers then a red blotch and then yellow trim outlining the red blotch to separate the next shade of red.
ReplyDeleteDont you just love thornless seedlings. I got one this year I should have one photo posted on my blog tomorrow.
Dont you wish every bloom had the abundance of pollen for thirty crosses.
Thanks for sharing all your photos Jim.
Hi Jim, I've been a lurker on your blog and on the RHA forum for a long time, though I've never commented anywhere before -- I'm a (very) amateur rose hybridizer and I've found your posts about your Hulthemias work fascinating. (and I love the pictures ;) )
ReplyDeleteI'm also a biologist. For the last week, I've been waiting to see how other rose hybridizers are going to react to the major biotechnology initiative by the Glowing Plant team: glowingplant.com/kickstarter But as far as I know, nobody else has noticed it yet. Or at least not commented publicly.
They're going to make transgenic plants, using a natural plant parasitic bacteria to insert bioluminecent genes into first a mustard, and then a rose. It may seem like SciFi, but the biology behind it is actually pretty sound, entirely feasible, and safe.
At this rate, there will be unpatented glowing roses -- strength of glow still unknown -- appearing in US gardens within two years. No restrictions on propagation and breeding. They're doing this in California. Did you see this already? Thoughts? Or has this slipped under the radar of rose hybridizer until now.
Jules
Hi Dave,
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am thinning out the seedling benches as fast as I can. There are still way too many roses to keep. I had to spray for spider mites again today. I am considering next year to try not spraying at all for pests and just let the lady bugs and other beneficials do their work.
Hi Jules,
Thank you for your comments. I had not heard about the glowing plants project, although I had heard that there was interest in inserting glowing genes into various plants and animals. I don't think that there would be enough light to light a street, but the affect could be very interesting at night. If it ever does happen, it will be interesting to see if the trait can be passed along through cross pollination.
Jim
Do the lady bugs, soldier beetles find their way into the greenhouse? They cleaned out all the aphids a couple of weeks ago here. So many free workers and all they want is a free lunch of your unwanted pests. What a deal!
ReplyDeleteThe crested seedling looks lovely! Cresting often comes with disease issues. Has any of your crested seedlings survived? I like cresting :D
ReplyDeleteHi Jakub, thank you for you comments! Yes, I am having some crested seedlings that are surviving. In fact, this one survived. This one was selected because it has good powdery mildew resistance. Seems to have better than average black spot resistance, but I suspect that it would have problems with black spot on east coast. Last year I noted that it sets lots of open pollinated hips, so I have 161 seeds of it planted hoping for some germinations. So far none of those seeds has germinated.
ReplyDeleteBlack spot runs like hemophilia in crested roses. I try, I try... :D Have you used Kims fedtschenkoana in any hulthemia? Now THAT would be interesting, to say the least!
ReplyDelete161 seeds??? Jeez. No shame, no shame :p
Any advice you can give me at //" " zero dot jakubg dot 0 gmail period com " " on cresting or even some crested seed would be, well, wow!
I hope some germiate for you. If the cuttings survived or seed sprouted, I will see if I can get you 4N07. It is a compact, reblooming Crested Jewel
- Jakub