Ann B.
10-21-2001, 12:21 PM
Most rose seed will need to be stratified in the refrigerator for about 4-6 weeks. I stratify my seeds by putting them in a zip lock bag with damp vermiculite and/or peat moss. I left some softer coated rose seeds longer than 2 months last year (forgot them) and they actually started sprouting in the frig, but I wouldn't recommend this.
Then, sow the seeds 2-3 times their depth in a mixture of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite. Add about 1 teaspoon of pulverized limestone or dolomite for each quart of the mixture. Roses do not like their roots to be in really acidic soil (like mine). You will have much better luck if the soil is sterile. You can substitute sterile sand for the vermiculite.
Place them under fluorescent lights at normal room temperature. Keep the soil damp, but not overly wet. A plastic dome cover or a plastic bag will help to retain humidity, but make sure the newly forming leaves do not accumulate beads of moisture (gently blot them dry if they do), and I would allow a little ventilation.
When leaves appear, start fertilizing with a liquid rose food. Again, making sure that the soil is moist, not wet and the leaves kept dry.
When seedlings are large enough to transplant, usually at least one set of true leaves, transplant them to a larger pot (you can add Soil Moist), and begin transitioning them to a more sunny location.
In about 2 months, some of them will start blooming. The blooms may be smaller at first, but you should be able to determine which colors and forms that you want to keep.
Roses are self pollinating, meaning pollen from the same flower will fertilize the 'eggs', but even so, the resulting flower will probably take on characteristic of the parent plants' heritage.
Enjoy!
Then, sow the seeds 2-3 times their depth in a mixture of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite. Add about 1 teaspoon of pulverized limestone or dolomite for each quart of the mixture. Roses do not like their roots to be in really acidic soil (like mine). You will have much better luck if the soil is sterile. You can substitute sterile sand for the vermiculite.
Place them under fluorescent lights at normal room temperature. Keep the soil damp, but not overly wet. A plastic dome cover or a plastic bag will help to retain humidity, but make sure the newly forming leaves do not accumulate beads of moisture (gently blot them dry if they do), and I would allow a little ventilation.
When leaves appear, start fertilizing with a liquid rose food. Again, making sure that the soil is moist, not wet and the leaves kept dry.
When seedlings are large enough to transplant, usually at least one set of true leaves, transplant them to a larger pot (you can add Soil Moist), and begin transitioning them to a more sunny location.
In about 2 months, some of them will start blooming. The blooms may be smaller at first, but you should be able to determine which colors and forms that you want to keep.
Roses are self pollinating, meaning pollen from the same flower will fertilize the 'eggs', but even so, the resulting flower will probably take on characteristic of the parent plants' heritage.
Enjoy!