Hybridizing roses involves cross-pollinating two different rose varieties to create a new rose variety with combined traits. Here's a simplified overview of the process, based on available information:
-
Select Parent Roses: Choose two rose varieties with desirable characteristics you want to combine (e.g., disease resistance, color, fragrance).
-
Emasculate the Seed Parent: Select the rose that will produce the seeds (seed parent). Before the flower opens completely, carefully remove the petals and anthers (pollen-producing parts) from the chosen flower. This prevents self-pollination.
-
Collect Pollen from the Pollen Parent: Select the rose that will provide the pollen (pollen parent). Once the anthers are ripe and shedding pollen, collect the pollen using a small brush or cotton swab.
-
Pollinate the Seed Parent: Gently transfer the pollen from the pollen parent to the stigma (the sticky part in the center of the flower) of the emasculated seed parent.
-
Label and Protect: Label the pollinated flower with the names of both parent roses and the date of pollination. Some breeders pollinate numerous flowers with different pollen. Protect the flower from unwanted pollination, often with a small bag.
-
Wait for Hips to Develop: If pollination is successful, the flower will develop into a rose hip (the fruit of the rose). It takes several months for the hip to ripen.
-
Harvest Seeds: Once the hips are ripe (usually in the fall), harvest them and extract the seeds.
-
Stratify Seeds: Rose seeds typically require stratification (a period of cold, moist storage) to break dormancy. Place the seeds in a moist medium (like vermiculite or peat moss) in a refrigerator for several weeks or months.
-
Plant Seeds: After stratification, plant the seeds in pots or trays filled with potting mix. Keep the soil moist and provide adequate light.
-
Select and Propagate: Seedlings that sprout will be unique hybrids. Evaluate them as they mature and select the ones with the most desirable traits. Propagate those using cuttings, budding, or grafting to preserve them, as roses grown from seed will not be true-to-type.
