Something for thought

For those of you who like the Golden Oldies to breed with, here is a thought to dwell on. Gloire De Djion classified (Noisette, Tea Noisette , Tea) is a tetraploid, if you want to do some breeding and want to retain that pure Tea Noisette look, and get a bit of hybrid vigour thrown in, Gloire D Dijion. I was reading were its pollen viability % is pretty low and what I do is collect it from 5 blooms or more.

This is one of my favourites which always makes to stop for a look.

Warren

Hi Warren,
For my taste "Old Glory" looks a bit tatty but there again IF you can get hold of an old one they were a brilliant climber. Souvernir de la Malmaison being one of it's parents is one of my favourite roses so for me it has a lot going for it.
For me I would like to get back to the old cabbagy look, keep the scent, the repeat flowering but get a bit more of the mustardy colour into it.
So what I want is just about impossible - all we have to do is find a 100yr old rose bush that would still have it's wonderful quarters and would be the perfect breeder.

Old Glory's foliage is not as good as Souvenir De la Malmaison, I will say that. I like the old look of yesteryear and the scent, A few years ago I was challenged to breed a HT, All the offspring which are flowering for their first time are from that challenge. I am happy with the results of colour and form , but I lost all my perfume I pride myself in obtaining. Glad that venture is over.

Warren