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STOCKS - Part 2 |
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R. multiflora is by far the world's most popular and widely used stock. It is grown in many varieties by different nurserymen, but in three main forms-as seedlings for dwarf plants, as short cuttings for dwarf plants, and as long cuttings for standards. In all forms it produces a dense mass of fibrous roots, grows vigorously, is very readily propagated, makes a very close union with the scion, is highly resistant to sunburn and black spot, and suits a wide range of soils and climates. Its affinity for Pernetianas is strong, but not as good as some others for a few of the Teas and R. bracteata. It can be budded very late into autumn to give dormant buds for the following spring. It transplants well, and does not resent its roots being allowed to get fairly dry during the process. Cuttings seven or eight inches long and about as thick as a pencil can be planted direct into nursery rows with an expectancy of at least a ninety-nine per cent strike. Either thorny or thornless multiflora can be used for these dwarf stocks, but the thornless type is now the more common. One variety of thorny multiflora is claimed, by those who use it, to be highly resistant to cold conditions. It is often stated that roses on R. multiflora stocks do not live as long or grow as well in later years as those on R. indica major and R. fortuniana. I cannot agree with this.
Seeds of R. multiflora germinate readily in a seed bed in a few weeks. If the seedlings are graded for size at planting-out time, there is little variation in the plants at selling time. When budded, seedlings are a little older than the cuttings. Insertion of the scion midway between the topmost rootlet and the lowest branch of a seedling ensures non-suckering. Seedlings are more costly than cuttings for the nurseryman. Thornless R. multiflora is better than the thorny type for standards. Cuttings fifteen to thirty-six inches long and about half an inch thick are planted direct into the nursery rows. The soil is not hilled round them. All but the upper two eyes are carefully excised. These cuttings give about a ninety per cent strike and produce a plant with a big strong root system, green bark, and a very flexible stem. They always need staking in the garden, even as quarter standards. Complaints about roses grown on R. multiflora stocks seem to be solely from people who allow their plants to become dry in hot weather. It seems possible that this variety of stock resents such conditions and so may not thrive in sandy soils. However, it does well round Sydney and Brisbane. R. indica major is a form of R. chinensis and has become known in various parts of Australia as American Noisette, R. odorata, Boursault, Maiden's Blush, and Blushing Bride and, incorrectly, in Queensland as R. manettii. When mature cuttings half an inch in diameter are used, it has good disease-resistance, gives over ninety-five per cent strike, grows well, buds readily, and has an affinity for almost all varieties. It heals slowly after budding or wounding; this almost precludes late budding. It is rather susceptible to sunburn. It has a less vigorous root system than R. multiflora or R. fortuniuna. It is the cheapest stock to handle. |
