Pope John Paul

Some rosarians have reported PJP11 has weak stems and the blooms hang. To date my three PJP11 plants have suffered from the problem mentioned.

Is it because they are being forced Doug ?

Silky Roses told me Amazing Grace is better than PJP , has stronger stems , haven't tried it yet though ....

David I think it maybe lack of attention rather trying to force our rose as both the AQ and I have been so busy over the last two years  our roses have suffered.This year I have put a lot more into our roses and we are hoping to see an improvement.

Maree Amazing Grace is a great white and it is an Australian bred rose bred by, in my opinion the doyen of Australian rose breeders Bruce Chapman. Andrew Ross of Ross Roses told me sometime back it is their biggest seller. A couple of years ago when I interviewed Bruce I asked him which was his best rose and he felt it was Amazing Grace.

It will be interesting to see the improvement Doug, any old shots to compare

Ausrose, FWIW I've just shot off an email to my friend with the most splendid PJPII, asking her about the weak neck thing. Don't know if her reply will be of any help, but you can add it to your observations and other opinions.

David I haven't any shots as such with my roses in crisis however our competition results in 2012/13 definitely tell a story. In the two years I think we won less than ten ribbons whereas in 2011 we won somewhere in the vicinity of thirty plus ribbons. This year although we are extremely busy organising the Australia and NSW Rose Show we have put in an extra effort and at this stage very happy with results. Back on PJP11 I hope I can get the blooms to a standard they are competitive.

Betty I would be most interested to learn about your friends PJP11.

Ausrose, here is Gail's answer:

PJPII is in its second year with me. During the first season, it grew vigorously, symmetrically, and bloomed absolutely prolifically.

I think I remember perhaps three or four blooms on somewhat noddy stems; that would have been a tiny percentage of the blooms the bush produced.

Obviously if I'd identified weak stems early, and taken them out, I would have had none. Perhaps the vigorous growth - making for dense foliage - created some less-then-perfect stems; again, if I had thinned the plant a bit - no problems.

I reiterate: I had to think hard to remember any weak stems, they were so not an issue.

Ausrose , i have a spot for Amazing Grace and will try it next year , hope it likes Victorian weather , cold winters and some scorching summer days ...

I just put a baby Amazing Grace in...  

Fantastic Autumn , keep us posted pleeessse ...

I will keep an eye on my PJP for nodding blooms, haven't seen any yet...

I have to say that mine never had any nodding blooms either , am happy with it , the only tiny drawback is the fresh fragrance , which i do like , but i like heady old fashioned perfumed ones better ....

Maree Amazing Grace was bred in Melbourne so it should grow well for you.

Okay , thanks Ausrose , thats good to know , i guess Amazing Grace definately has its name on that spot now lol ...