David Austin Roses

Hi Sue, I have 30 different & 10 Claire Austin, I love mine, I smell them, I talk to them, play music to them but living in Sunny/Rain Sometimes Qld unfortunately I do need to spray, I only use CO though & plenty of Beneficial Insects & Companion Plants. Don't let the Negatives bother you as there are more Positives. Keep Planting them and they will reward you.
Cheers:

Oh I will!! Companion plants are going in this weekend too! Yes, I talk to my plants as well. Don't care if anyone hears me either!!!  

In this thread posted above were two observations from Betsy and Dimity's Cottage, I do not know the answers by any means, they were sent off to help at David Austin's, when I get a reply I will post it here. No names were given.

Wendy, there is nothing wrong with cloning when it is done properly. As I mentioned before there are people in the industry that don't even know it exists. Training staff would be very difficult so I can't see them sticking to a control plan. There aren't too many Rocket Scientists growing understocks and grafting roses. When you can buy bareroot roses for $5.95 one can understand the issues.

Swane's have had a very good system in place for I haven't ever seen or heard of a virused rose sold by them with the exception of 'Peace'. Remember this rose is considered virused throughout the world. Hope they don't ever have their grafting done elsewhere for this could possibly expose them to this problem. I will put one in the heat treatment this summer. Hope this virus cleansing works as I have gone to a lot of expense to build up the equipment.

Can someone tell me - How can I tell if my David Austin's are virused and does it matter, what I have read here does not seem to indicate a problem. Are the viruses transferable to other roses and if so should they be treated or can they be ONLY treated with Heat Treatments. Is this a common virus you are talking about and if so which one or ones.
Happy Gardening.

Now I have just been out to the garden and I want you all to know it is a hot day in Sunny Brissy & if you want a fabulous tall(well in my garden it is very upright & as tall as I am 4ft 11") growing David Austin, whose flowers do not SULK plant a Mayor of Casterbridge, a lovely medium pink, close to formal rose, has a lovely old fashioned rose scent. Just thought I would share my joy of this lovely rose blooming.
Enjoy & Grow David Austin's.

It's lovely Dianne. Just googled it and agree with you. It looks rather similar to my DA, Mary Rose, or am I dreaming?!

Hi Sue, The colour of the petals is much softer & the reverse is lighter. The inside petals are more intertwined and tighter. I have Mary Rose & if you like Mary Rose you will Mayor of Casterbridge as well.
Keep Planting David Austin Roses.
(I really am not a rep or grower for DA & in any way paid to advertise).

Hello Dimity, I don't think there are any experts here as identifying the problem requires equipment we do not have
access to or the knowledge that goes with it.
There are numerous viruses which cause a mosaic, blotch or water line on the leaves. We can see this in a lot of plants from even the best nurseries though the biggies seem to have more problems than the smaller ones.
It's effect on roses is similar to a human with a constant dose of the flu or bad cold. Some roses are more effected than others. Some species roses found in China have been tested and found to have some virus so it's common to own root and grafted roses. If the nursery or custom budding operators have a good plan in place it can be kept to a minimum. The more popular a rose is the more likely it will come in contact with a virus through multiple understocks.

Until a very simple method of detecting the problems then we can never be sure a plant is negative. Plants not showing the virus for years will sometimes show the virus
later on. Would appear the plant has carried the virus for years but does not show it until exposed to hard times such as drought etc. Some suggest it can be passed on by an infected plant root grafting with a healthy plant.

How do we get rid of an infected plant, put it in the bin.
Unfortunately there appears only one proven method of treatment and that is constant 40 degree heat for 30 days.
Then buds are taken from the treated plant and grafted onto a disease free understock. These grafted plants are considered virus free but the infected heat treated plant has to be discarded as the virus remains. Recently I heard some of the new grafted plants did show the virus but have also heard if everything is done by the book then the treatment is a success. I have the cabinet and thermostat + OR - 1 Degree C to give the test a go but seem to have difficulty finding the enthusiasm. When you see the term virus cleansed then realise the original plant will show a virus again but the new grafted plants should be OK.

Viruses are very common in roses sometimes considered a deficiency in nutrients. An American fertiliser company was contacted by a nursery wishing to improve the appearances and vigour of their roses. The fertiliser Co could do very little because just on 50% were virused. Imagine the field day the fertiliser companies are having suggesting nutrient deficiencies and fertilisers that can't cure viruses.

With regards to your DA roses, understand local growers pay for the privilege of selling them under patient.
DA has no control over the growers given the rights to sell his roses. Having the name David Austin doesn't guarantee they are healthy non viruses plants.

That's a brief understanding I have of the viruses but you would do well to source some of the data appearing in papers by professors like Henry Kuska and others dealing with plant viruses.

Hope my input has given you a better understanding of the problem and answered your questions.

.

I believe you Dianne!! LOL

In this thread posted above were two observations from Betsy and Dimity's Cottage, I do not know the answers by any means, they were sent off to help at David Austin's, when I get a reply I will post it here. No names were given.


I have had an early reply to this and looking good IMO, one query was sent to David Austin Jr, the other to the Licencing dept

Thanks David, the info may seem unnecessary to some but I do find it interesting to know some of these details.
Sue, I thought I had better tell everyone I didn't work for DA seeing as I am singing the praises so much lately. Have just had a big watering then spraying morning, I am worn out.
Enjoy your Gardening.

Spraying is the reason I don't grow a lot of roses other than those that are healthy. I have mentioned before and gone into great detail how agricultural sprays are dangerous and effect our immune system so all sorts of nasties can take hold of our bodies. It's not worth while growing soft roses anywhere particularly in the Qld climate

I only use Certified Organic Sprays I do not use anything else.
Cheers

Good one Dimity, just trying to look after you.

Don't worry Dianne, I was only teasing you about DA!! I warble on about roses too, so you're not alone!! LOL

Ozyboy I know you are very conscious of the Health & Safety of Gardening & Nursery Practices & Issues especially when it comes to the effect on the Environment & What lives in It. Thanks for Caring.
Sue I know you were only teasing, we plant people all have a favourite subject to warble on about.
Enjoy Your David Austin's. Just had to put that In!!

Roseman, Did you ever hear anything back from the Licencing Dept & David Austin's  re your emails on the comments made on the FORUM.
Have a Great Evening.  

Not as yet, I will jog Richards memory in the morning

Here is the latest update from Richard at David Austin's, it is not complete as yet, but as you read it will explain,

Apologies for the delay in all the replies.

With regards to the bestselling rose we have it is difficult to be exact but we would say it will be Graham Thomas, Abraham Darby or Heritage. The best selling rose in the UK is Munstead Wood.

Re the Fragrance, they asked me to pen an answer which I have done, and send it to my boss for approval, but I am still awaiting the reply, will chase up for you.

I would drop an email to Carl re the seeds off Kew Rambler( this bit is for me)

Finally I am checking that email address for the laxa for you.

Cheers

Richard Stubbs
Manager
Landscapers, Designers and Amenity Services Department

Thank You for going to all that trouble David...  

It is not trouble Dianne, I enjoy doing it, it is a learning curve for all. 

I have just been out in the horrible hot wind and noticed on my David Austin, 'Graham Thomas' that there are some blooms that only have 4 petals, Is this OK. I can't see any briar or the like, they are actually on the same stems as the full blooms.
This Rose is actually blooming like crazy at the moment.    

Does anyone grow Lordly Oberon, if so how do you find it and is it still available and does anyone know where from.
Off to the Rose Show this morning and then
a Grand Champion Garden in Forest Lake.