Mid-season report on Black Caviar

As I mentioned ages ago, my Black Caviar was gifted to friends who had recently lost their adored and valuable bred-to-race young stallion. Here is Mike's report

He says he hasn't treated it as it should be, because it's still in its pot, and in the centre atrium of their (round) house. (Atrium is open to the skies, so BC gets fresh air.) He says it has developed two long canes, as it reaches to maximise sun; says it's very healthy, has no black spot or other nasties.

It has, despite less than perfect conditions, produced two beautiful big, long-lasting blooms. According to both Mike and Mia, the fragrance was beyond fabulous: absolutely knockout. When the blooms finally faded, the petals came in to be potpourri; it's that good, and that long-lasting.

Colour is described as "merlot".

BC will be pruned and re-planted into Mike's rose garden in June-July. He expects great things thereafter.

He would like your opinions in return ;-))

That sounds like Black Caviar is shaping up to be quite a rose Betsy. If it's growing strongly in less than ideal conditions, with no sign of BS and from your friends' description of bloom and perfume it sounds like it could be a candidate for ...."The List". I'm sorry about their young stallion BTW.
I'd like to hear from others growing this rose too. I vaguely recall someone said it was slow to repeat but I could be confusing this with another rose.

I've got one , its going okay , too soon to give a real report as the hot weather gave it a bashing and it is in a exposed position , which is the front garden bed which overlooks the front footpath , so it cops all the elements , if a rose can survive this position , its a good rose ...

Should have known you had one Maree, intrepid scent hound you. This summer sure has been tough on our roses... and us! Amazing though how some of them seemed to flourish. I will be interested to see how Black Caviar shapes up during autumn. Please keep the updates coming.

No worries , will do Silky  

Hey Maree, how's your BC doing? Did you get a decent autumn flush?

From a commercial point of view the rose Black Caviar has been an enormous success for Knights. Another rose Knights have just brought onto the market is "The Daniel Morcombe Rose" (tankalgic).

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Is this rose not Tantau's well-known "Black Magic" (1994)? Identical description of it under "Black Magic" roses sold in other countries, also on HMF., where its designation is  Tankalcig. Slight transposition of lst letters, but surely the same rose.

Great cutting rose, btw , if it is Black Magic. Scentless, but sturdy. I used to mix mine with the ultra fragrant reds ina vase. Bush is just too tall for me and my pot ghetto, but nice plant. The arrival of long-lasting AND power-scented dark red Firefighter sort of made BM redundant for me, too.

The code name I wrote is from another rosarian so I think you maybe a transcription error and you are more than likely correct.

This maybe a case of renaming a rose for a cause. There are a lot of these. One that comes readily to mind is Veteran's Honour which in Australia is sold as City of Newcastle.

My research has found Black Caviar is a Tantau rose released in 2001 named Astrid Grafin von Hardenber.

got black caviar also , so far not impressed . will see how it goes this season if it doesn't improve its gone

I like your attitude towards under performing roses. This attitude would stand you in good stead if you ever thought of becoming an exhibitor if you aren't already one.

That's a shame, dan. Hopefully she will perk up for you a bit.

Aaaah!  Poor thing!  Send her to me or Muscovyduckling!  I'm sure one of us would look after her!  Hey..... we could start a "home" for unwanted roses!! How about it?!       

Sue, you need go no farther than the garbage bin of Maree the Merciless. We really should call her Ming.

Stand in front of the bin with a big net. You will catch all kinds of super roses. Might be a good idea to bring along a trailer. too. The woman is a culling fiend.

She should be banned from owning roses!!!   

Haha nope, I don't want any more 'hard work' roses, I've got my hands full!

Awww.... Always room for another rose!