Breeding Roses, Hybridising.

The petals of the female flower are stripped away and the stamens are removed using a pair of manicure scissors or a knife. (1 & 2)

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The prepared flowers should be left in this state for 24 hours. The stigma will become sticky in preparation for the arrival of the pollen. The female parent should then be pollinated. The pollen needed is often seen as a fine dust on the inner petals of the male parent. (3) Fold back the petals to make application easier. (4)

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The pollen from the male parent is then applied to the prepared flower, either directly, as shown here, or with the use of a brush. (5 & 6)

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Once the pollen has been applied (7) a label is attached to record the cross. Once labeled, it is a waiting game until, if you are lucky, a hip develops. (8)

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By early Autumn, after around 16 weeks, the hips will be seen to be ripe and ready to harvest. Carefully cut through the outer flesh of the hip so that the hip can be pulled apart into 2 halves. The seed will be visable, numbering from 1 to 30 or more. They are usually round kernals found within the fleshy pith. Use a knife to excavate them into a dish and wash under the tap with the aid of a sieve. Then transfere them into a sealable plastic bag containing damp sand or damp soil substitute such as vermiculite. (9) The agressive nature of these will break down the seed coat. The seeds should be stored  for about 6 weeks at room temerature and then for a further 6 weeks at a temperature of 34 - 37 degrees F (1 - 3 degrees C), often found in the lower area of the household fridge. After this period of storage they are ready for sowing. (10)

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The initial leaves of the rose seedling, the first to be seen, are in a pair, fleshy and almost succulent in appearance. They will remain for a day or two before more characteristic leaves begin to appear. (11) Once there are one or two sets of true leaves present, the plant can be moved to a small pot. As the seedling grows it will begin to display its future characteristics in leaf form and colour. If you have been lucky enough to develop a rose with repeat or continuous flowering capabilities, it is likely to produce a bloom in its first year of life; although this will be smaller than the true bloom, it usually correctly shows colour, form and sometimes scent. (12)

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