Last year I was so excited to receive a rooted piece of 'Euphrates' from Kim Rupert. After I planted it, all of the foliage died. I thought that maybe the smaller roots may not have been able to support it's growth. I had already failed twice in trying to root cuttings of 'Euphrates', so the thought hit me that I would just simply not be able to grow 'Euphrates'. I had wanted to try it in hybridizing after hearing that it had been used by others to produce seedlings, even though I had previously read that it was infertile. I was glad that I kept that piece with a root on it because after a few more days, it started to put out some new growth. Although it didn't bloom last year, it has developed buds this year, and just started blooming yesterday.
Somehow, I had thought that the blotch would be much larger, but I suppose that even 'Euphrates's blotch was dependent on several variables just like the modern Hulthemia hybrids that I have grown. This bloom and 2 others have been crossed with hybrid Hulthemia pollen in hopes that better compatibility will exist than when crossing with regular roses.
It may just be an unproductive exercise, however, I would like to see if 'Euphrates' will be able to bring any other interesting traits to the Hulthemia hybrids. Below are photos of some of the new 2013 seedlings that are just now blooming for the first time outside of the greenhouse. Blotch size and intensity continue to increase.
Jim, I tried 'Euphrates' pollen on 'Carefree Beauty' and on the OP K206 seedling ( as well as on Rosa sweginzowii 'Macrocarpa', supposedly a hexaploid that would throw tetraploid sepecies hybrids when put with diploids), and unfortunately all of them failed. The ones on 'Carefree Beauty' lasted the longest and actually started to form seeds. Not sure why they failed on me. They looked good one day and then shrivelled and died the next.
ReplyDeleteThe white blotched seedling is looking awesome!
Hey Jim, I'm sooo excited for you! I sent you an email recently btw, there are some guppy pictures in there! Oh and I recently bought Eyeconic Pink Lemonade because I remember you saying somewhere that is was better for breeding than Eyeconic Lemonade, but I could be wrong on that? I think your Hulthemia persica seedlings are particularly exciting because they will allow the creation of more "Tigrises" but probably better. I have recently been lamenting the fact modern Hulthemias pretty much all come from Tigris because Tigris "doesn't tell the whole story" of the H. persica as a species you could say. For example, I doubt with Bull's Eye, Raspberry Kiss, and Eyeconic Pink Lemonade as the foundation for a population I could one day get a seedling that had one leaf, the spikes on the hip, and the silvery gray foliage of the original Hulthemia persica pictures posted on HMF. Nevertheless, the blotch is definitely cool and and I'll be trying to add it to a few species that I couldn't find record of anyone mixing with Hulthemias. I'll especially be trying this with the native population of R. laevigata and R. bracteata. I've been keeping tabs on 3 separate Laevigata populations which possess very subtle morphological differences. What's exciting is that the in population I watch in Madisonville, LA north of Lake Ponchatrain I found a completely thornless seedling that stood out from the crowd. I'm working to propagate it as we speak. Actually getting crosses with it, just like 'Euphrates', might be a challenge. If R. laevigata was a student, it's progress report would say "Doesn't get along or work well with others in class." LOL
ReplyDeleteBe sure to keep posting all of these wonderful posts on you blog!
Congratulations, Jim! I'm glad it lived for you. I still have the other piece and it's growing. I told you, for me, this turkey will NOT die! This, and the piece you grow, are what's left of the original plant I imported directly from Harkness thirty years ago. It may never be really happy, and it may refuse to flower a lot in this climate, but it refuses to give up the ghost.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting these beautiful photos of your roses! Am researching Persian Roses and as an artist who loves flowers and colour.. these just make me dizzy with happiness! <3
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