Rose Seedlings.

I have got my first open pollinated seedlings through So far there are 10 of them. They are from Heritage and they have there first 2 proper leaves. Now for the hard part. When do I take them out of the flat and put them in small pots? Then do they go in the greenhouse, Shadehouse or what. Remember they are only little tiddlers.

Exciting isn't it... to think that no one else in the WORLD has a rose like yours

I would do it now Carole. Mix some osmocote through the potting mix and transplant them into to individual tall forestry tubes (or something similar... I find height is more important to allow for good root development - so something up to 10cm in diametre but tallish). Keep them in the greenhouse over winter and then harden them off in spring. A layer of perlite around the seedling will help prevent damping off. Don't over water. Just keep them nicely moist. They dry out REALLY quickly if left in the flats and their tap root grows quickly so the more depth they have to get started the better. That's why I'm going to start mine in the fruit box.

Yes it is exciting because I want something different from the parent. To see what it looks like, its characteristics I suppose and something unique. This could be a great hobby for me if I can keep them alive.

The next step is to find out about the background of 'Heritage' (or the heritage of 'Heritage' ) ... DA used an un-named seedling from 'Iceberg' (so assume open pollinated 'Iceberg' seedling x cross an undisclosed seedling... so you could end with anything...). Not far in the background is 'Robin Hood, a hybrid musk and before that there is polyantha and before that there is multiflora... Heritage sets OP hips very easily and Mr Ralph Moore was recorded saying once that he had never seen an open pollinated seedling that did not show signs it wasn't self pollinated (i.e. there were no massive departures from the seed parent) but insects could have easily brought pollen in from another rose. Rose pollen is quite heavy so the chances of it getting blown around by the wind are smaller than most plants so most OP hips are due to self pollinations. Don't be surprised if some seedlings just sit there and do nothing. Some will start growing well right from the word go. This is not the best time of the year for seedlings to be popping up so I would keep it in your new greenhouse to keep it warm and possibly growing until spring. If it is going to be repeat flowering it will flower in the next few weeks (if you can keep it growing) or in early spring. If the fertility of 'Heritage' is anything to go by your seedlings should be highly fertile and might be a critical step in developing further lines so start thinking about what you'd like to put on it... 'Ebb Tide' would be an excellent choice for starters...

Welcome to the world of hybridising Carole

Of course... we will want to see photos soon too

congratulation, Carole, still tight how they will look