Question
I read once a long time ago that you can grow roses from seed. Unfortunately, I don't know where the book is that I read about it and I was wondering if you can and how to go about it.

Answer
Hello, Carol - The Santa Clarita Rose Society posts some excellent instructions on this ambitious little project at its website (www.scvrs.homestead.com/HybridizeKB1.html).

As you'll see, it takes patience and devotion.  This is a real challenge.

The pro's, of course, are that you are cultivating a unique plant whose genetic expressions are guaranteed to surprise you.  And you get to name that Rose when it finally does bud and bloom.

And there's the sense of accomplishment, too.

As they say in Santa Clarita:  "There will be disappointments along the way, when many seeds fail to germinate, or perhaps they do germinate, only to die several weeks later from damp-off disease."

When you finally get Roses from your former seedlings, there's no guarantee you'll like what you see.  They coud be quite ugly.

I'm not sure where you are gardening, Carol, but if you are going to propagate Roses this way, it is critical that you pick Roses that are hardy in your neighborhood.  It would be awful if you managed to get seed to germinate only to have the seeling die because it is too tender to grow where you live.

If you are really enthused about studying this technique, consider becoming a member of the Rose Hybridizers Society, a group of dedicated, friendly Rose-loving hobbyists who have been there and done just about all of that.  See their website for current membership and contact information www.rosehybridizers.org).

Thank you for writing.  Need clarification?