Two exciting crosses today that will hopefully produce excellent for-Florida roses.....both were (Duchesse de Brabant X New Dawn).

http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.1661.7



http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.4460

Tomorrow at Publix I am buying my annual 'Caribbean Red' papaya for the seeds to sprout, but this year directly in the gardens for MUCH quicker growth. No more starting the seeds in pots first.....direct sowing gives me MUCH bigger plants and sooner, like this seven months old one in my east bed by the driveway. Since my soil is so fertile, I wonder if the root growth is why they do so well.

Three more pollinations today: (Old Blush X Eugene de Beauharnais) and (Old Blush X Oklahoma) and two of (Duchesse de Brabant X Oklahoma).

"Shirley's Pink" is responding beautifully to a 50% pruning with a feeding of Mill's Magic Rose Food, minor elements, dolomite and Epsom Salt about six weeks ago.

Just for fun today I pollinated the old Tea rose 'Mrs. B. R. Cant' with the early 20th century Hybrid Tea 'Peace'. I really hope I get a hip!

Today on December 30, 2016 I planted about five dozen open pollinated seeds from my nineteen year old own root and organically grown 'Seagull' here in south Tampa. In years past some seedlings resembled early Polyanthas, or miniatures like 'Popcorn' and 'Improved Popcorn'. Most are very fragrant. Always fun!

'Ruby Voodoo' is a rose I bred in Denver in July 1998. The Mom was the Hybrid Perpetual 'General Jacqueminot' from 1853 in my front yard, the pollen was from the Hybrid Tea 'Stephen's Big Purple' from the Cranford Rose Garden in Brooklyn when author Stephen Scanniello hosted me. The rose was chosen for commerce by the Colorado Plant Select Committee and is available retail, own root, from nurseries in Colorado and a few adjoining states. In Colorado it is incredibly cold hardy with no protection each winter. I love the Victorian look of each bloom, and the fragrance is a potent "Old Rose". I get a small royalty for each plant sold. High Country Roses in Denver sells it mail order and mailed me recently one for free to test here in Florida. One leaf was damaged by shipping but it already is growing well in an 18 gallon Water Wise Container Garden, lots of new growth. I'd be amazed if it grows well here since it so loves Colorado! Pics of the blooms were taken by people in Colorado...it'd be nice to see and smell the blooms again. I love the parentage!