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Beyond the Red Rose

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-740 -- More Projects »
Horticulturist Tom Ogren shares a secret to creating a one-of-a-kind rose bush through hybridization.

  • Hybrids are a cross between two different plants.

  • Results are unpredictable when working with hybrids, but they are always unique.

  • You need two different plants, one to supply the pollen (the father plant), and one to supply the seed (the mother plant).

For the pollen parent

PHOTO

Figure A
PHOTO

Figure B
PHOTO

Figure C
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Figure D
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Figure E
  • Find a rose that is partially open, i.e., tight in the center with floppy outer leaves. Cut the rose from the bush.

  • Pull all the petals off the rose, and place the stem on a mat to dry overnight. As it dries, the plant will release a golden dusty pollen (figure A).

    For the seed parent


    1. Find a rose that is halfway open, but still tight at the center (figure B).

    2. Leave the rose on the bush, but pull off all its leaves, exposing the center.

    3. Dip finger in the dried pollen (figure C) from the dried stem and lightly brush the pollen over the exposed center of the seed parent (figure D). Label the pollinated stem with the names of both parents.

    4. Leave the pollinated rose on the bush until a rose hip (figure E) forms. Harvest the rose hip and split it open. Plant the seeds you find inside.
    • Resources
    Allergy-Free Gardening: The Revolutionary Guide to Healthy Landscaping
    by Tom Ogren
    Ten Speed Press, 2000
    Order this title from Amazon.com.

    Guests
    Tom Ogren
    Horticultrist / Allergy-Free Gardening Consultant
    San Luis Obispo, CA
    Phone: 805-541-0452
    E-mail: tloallergyfree@earthlink.net
    Website: www.allergyfree-gardening.com
    Also in this Episode
    Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-740
    •Balancing-Act Diet
    •Crafts From Clothes
    •Beyond the Red Rose
    •Smart Solution of the Day
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