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What Does the Future Hold?
Every discovery reveals more clearly the divine design in nature, remarkable harmony in all things, from the infinitesimal to the infinite. Physical processes and laws imply a Supreme Architect.
DAVID SARNOFFWhat may we expect that is really new in miniatures? Should we only look forward to minor changes in color or can miniatures be created which are even more interesting than varieties we now grow?
I think these and many other questions serve as a challenge to rose breeders. We will do things with miniatures which will make most of our present day varieties as antique as the horseless carriage!
Some of these changes are just around the corner; others will take more time. But we should not expect the impossible and I happen to be one breeder who believes that some things are impossible. And for good reason: we can take out no more than has been put in. Though the visible results seem to belie this truth at times, it is only because the breeder is not fully aware of all the factors or that in certain combinations two plus two may not appear to equal four. Thus, some colors are not really colors but are actually color combinations or blends. We must never forget this basic truth stated by Glenn Viehmeyer, U. of Nebraska, "Whatever you put in a hybrid is still there and may be recovered in later generations, if you grow large enough populations."
If only what goes in can come out we must be content to play the game by the rules. The more we learn the more logical, exact, and dependable appear the rules by which our world and universe are governed. It is not for us to quibble or question why things are so. We get the sweetest music and the clearest picture when our set is in tune. And breeding a new rose is no different.
We make that improved new variety, not by creating something that never was but by putting the things we have, in this case the genes and chromosomes, into a little different pattern. For each variety the pattern is different.
So what can we expect? The breeders have already given us some of the smallest varieties but we can make some which are too small to be practical. Only an expert or a specialist would be interested in growing these very tiny kinds because of the attention required to keep them alive.
New colors and new color combinations we may also expect. Already we have some of these in such varieties as 'Cricri,' 'Scarlet Gem,' 'Baby Masquerade,' 'Little Flirt,' and 'New Penny.' Soon most of these will be superseded by varieties in similar colors but on better growing plants. The new 'Jeanie Williams' is an example. The plant is more easily grown than other bicolors such as 'Baby Masquerade' and 'Little Flirt.' In other new varieties the colors will be more refined. There will be clearer pinks, reds, and yellows.
Still other color combinations and blends will appear. 'Baby Darling' is a new variety pointing in this direction. New lavender shades will be developed and possibly even a soft chartreuse or green-yellow shade. Among the seedlings under test, we already have miniatures resembling 'Kordes Perfecta' (white with pink edges) Other new seedlings show the colors of 'Ginger' and 'Tropicana.' So we know that new and exciting colors are at hand.
Unfortunately some of these exciting new colors do not grow on the best plants. We shall continue to refine both the plant and flower form to fit our new improved varieties to the demands of tomorrow. Already a number of the better new varieties have elegantly shaped buds which match those of the finest hybrid teas. But styles change and we may find that miniature roses with the "old fashioned" look will be in demand. Very double roses of the types popular a hundred years ago could be desired or the graceful cupped (globeshaped) flowers such as those painted by Prevost.
Constant effort will be made to originate varieties which are more disease resistant. This is always a desirable goal but because of the nature of things we may be demanding too much. It may not be possible to include all the good traits in a variety without also having to take along a few of the undesirable ones. How many perfect people do you know? Yet you love them anyway.
Then, I believe more attention will be given to multiuse varieties. We need roses so rugged and carefree that they can readily be adapted to landscape uses. Stich varieties (and I am speaking of miniatures) should have such good plant form, such excellent foliage and disease resistance that they may be used exactly the same as are other shrubs. Flowers are desirable, but for this use they could be of secondary consideration.
21. The author admiring a 4 inch pot of miniature 'Mary Haywood.'
Present varieties have tended to get away from the tiny flower, tiny plant character of early miniatures. But this has been all to the good. It has vastly expanded the field of use and of interest. These more vigorous kinds have made it possible for many people to grow miniatures who earlier had tried and failed. To expand the color range it was necessary to make crosses with larger flowered roses. But now that this phase in miniature rose breeding has been accomplished I believe that improved varieties of the smaller flowered type will be developed. Plants will have more vigor and be easier to grow than earlier varieties. Eventually, the color range will be as wide as that of present hybrid teas.
Still another development for the future is miniature moss roses. I have worked on this problem for many years, but the first hurdle was to change the tall old-fashioned spring flowering moss rose into an everblooming dwarf bush. This has been accomplished and several of these are now being tested for later release. The miniature rose with a mossy bud has taken longer but crosses have been made using as one parent some of my everblooming hybrid tea and floribunda type moss rose seedlings, The moss miniature varieties are now not far away.
May your pathway be lined with miniature roses;
May their charm and fragrance add to your joy.
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