A letter from A letter from PolandPoland

fromLukasz Rojewski

Łukasz lives in Łukasz lives in Lodz, PolandLodz, Poland

the text from Łukaszthe text from Łukasz

Although I began my great adventure with roses Although I began my great adventure with roses over 20 years ago, I've been crossbreeding for 6 over 20 years ago, I've been crossbreeding for 6 years (since I moved out of the city centre).years (since I moved out of the city centre).I have been learning by trail and error. I have been learning by trail and error.

In Poland you can hardly find any professional In Poland you can hardly find any professional literature concerning this matter. The informationliterature concerning this matter. The informationthat I was able to find in those books was often that I was able to find in those books was often contradictory and hence I was able to breed only contradictory and hence I was able to breed only a few crossbred seedlings.a few crossbred seedlings.

. Sadly none of them is promising.. Sadly none of them is promising.

2008 seedling ( Lukasz)2008 seedling ( Lukasz)

This long run of failures did not discourage me This long run of failures did not discourage me from continuing my hobby.  In coming spring, I am from continuing my hobby.  In coming spring, I am going to rent an arable land (half agoing to rent an arable land (half ahectare only for hybridizing. What is more, I have hectare only for hybridizing. What is more, I have become a memberbecome a memberof Rose Hibrydizers Association in USA. Now I m of Rose Hibrydizers Association in USA. Now I m spending a lot ofspending a lot oftime studying roots generation to find right time studying roots generation to find right parents for new varietiesparents for new varietiesMotivation to act on my own is common to that in Motivation to act on my own is common to that in Canada -Canada -overcome climate and disappointing varieties overcome climate and disappointing varieties obtained in leadingobtained in leadingEuropean nurseries.European nurseries.

Experience, often lineage, of the hybrid tea Experience, often lineage, of the hybrid tea rosesroses(well-known manufacturers as: Meilland, Kordes, (well-known manufacturers as: Meilland, Kordes, Tantau or Austin) Tantau or Austin)

show that they are not suited for our winters.show that they are not suited for our winters.

Even the strength of the variety designated for Even the strength of the variety designated for USDA zone 5, can be frozen to the root. Own USDA zone 5, can be frozen to the root. Own root roses are capable of restarting on their root roses are capable of restarting on their own, unlike the budded ones.own, unlike the budded ones. In Poland, year by year, the winter time begins In Poland, year by year, the winter time begins unexpectedly.unexpectedly.Frequent changes in temperature, harsh winds Frequent changes in temperature, harsh winds or temperature jumpsor temperature jumpsin February - all this exposes rosarians to the in February - all this exposes rosarians to the risky lottery. risky lottery.

Louise Odier, the OGRLouise Odier, the OGR

From Lukasz’garden

During my search for a solution I came across  the efforts of During my search for a solution I came across  the efforts of Canadian breeders.Canadian breeders.

Names such as: F. Svejda, G. Buck, W. Godfrey, H. Marshall and Names such as: F. Svejda, G. Buck, W. Godfrey, H. Marshall and Joyce Fleming, brought a new perspective on hybridizing Joyce Fleming, brought a new perspective on hybridizing program.program.

Following the trail designed by (these) Canadian(s) I Following the trail designed by (these) Canadian(s) I established my own breeding (protocols) that are quite established my own breeding (protocols) that are quite similar:similar:

Dr Svejda

(The) bush should be shapely and compact with no surprising (The) bush should be shapely and compact with no surprising oversize stems that do not match the form - in case of wild oversize stems that do not match the form - in case of wild roses, close to the natural shape. Rose should survive the winter roses, close to the natural shape. Rose should survive the winter without a cover  (safely 4 to 5 USDA) and be resistant to fungal without a cover  (safely 4 to 5 USDA) and be resistant to fungal diseases . diseases .

It should grow on its own roots. The blooming periods should be It should grow on its own roots. The blooming periods should be excellent but not necessarily perpetual. Petals after flowering excellent but not necessarily perpetual. Petals after flowering should purify (fall) on their own. Rose(s) should also satisfy the should purify (fall) on their own. Rose(s) should also satisfy the sense of smell. sense of smell.

The substantial feature that determines the rose's being is its The substantial feature that determines the rose's being is its fragrance-like Damask roses. It is only a compliment to (the) fragrance-like Damask roses. It is only a compliment to (the) name of (the) rose by its hint of flavor (fragrance).name of (the) rose by its hint of flavor (fragrance).

Charles Albanel,a Svejda Explorer hybrid

The substantial feature that determines the rose's being The substantial feature that determines the rose's being is its fragrance-like Damask roses. It is only a compliment is its fragrance-like Damask roses. It is only a compliment to (the) name of (the) rose by its hint of flavor to (the) name of (the) rose by its hint of flavor (fragrance).(fragrance).

Editor’s noteIspahan, the Damask rosefrom his own garden

Glimpses of Lukasz’ Glimpses of Lukasz’ hybridisinghybridising

pollination

frozen pollen

Charles Austin

Albertinefrom Lukasz’ garden

Constance Spry

I I have check(ed) the European nurseries for Canadian have check(ed) the European nurseries for Canadian roses and I have found only Adelaide Hoodless and roses and I have found only Adelaide Hoodless and Alexander McKenzie. I wish to find some Buck roses.Alexander McKenzie. I wish to find some Buck roses.

I also depend on your opinion concerning the good I also depend on your opinion concerning the good material for mother roses. It’s quite amazing that the new material for mother roses. It’s quite amazing that the new view of rose style comes from cold Canada.view of rose style comes from cold Canada.

Of course I'll send you some photos of my garden but this Of course I'll send you some photos of my garden but this will come in autumn. I'm very happy to have such warm will come in autumn. I'm very happy to have such warm welcome by ( from) you.welcome by ( from) you.

 Best wishes, best roses. Best wishes, best roses.

Yours sincerelyYours sincerely

 Lukasz Rojewski Lukasz Rojewski

Editor’s note:Editor’s note:I am delighted that overseas rosarians would write to I am delighted that overseas rosarians would write to

relate their experiences with Canadian cultivars.relate their experiences with Canadian cultivars.

I will endeavour to include any such offerings on our CRS I will endeavour to include any such offerings on our CRS website.website.

Patrick WhitePatrick White