Chrysler Imperial was my very first rose in 1985 and I loved it so much that it sent me down the path of rosedom. I still recommend it because of it's fragrance. However Chrysler Imperial at its best was never a particularly vigorus rose. Back in those days most HT's were grown for the beauty of their individual bloom, and other traits, such as disease resistance and vigor placed a distant 2nd on the hybridizers agenda. I've grown Chrysler Imperial on multiflora and Dr. Huey rootstock, and Dr. Huey in my area did the best. I also grew it own root, (certified virus free). I was underwhelmed. Don't do yourself a disservice and use the virus excuse as the reason that some roses don't have any vigor. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

Thanks very much, maryl, I needed someone to tell me straight. I appreciate it. This makes the deciding process on my order much easier. Maybe I'll just start babying the two that I have - if I can remember. :))

Sherry

Sherry, I'm sure Maryl is telling you the truth of her experience with CI. But experiences vary. I too bought a Dr. Huey-budded CI cheap; mine from Walmart. I treated it just as well as my other roses, but though it bloomed, it never thrived. Granted, I only kept it 2 years. I have had other cheapie roses do quite well. Anyway, I eventually got rid of it (gave it away) and bought an own-root CI--from Roses Unlimited, too. Actually, that was even before they had replaced their CI stock with virus-indexed sources. I've had my own-root CI now 3 years, and from the first year it has been one of the most reliably blooming hybrid teas for me; not the biggest, mind you, but healthy and bushy and a good bloomer.

So, you might give your roses another year or two to prove themselves, but don't rule out CI on its own roots.

As for Rose Mosaic Virus, it IS a real factor in rose health, but just not consistently from variety to variety. Some seem to resist its effects better than others.

Mike

I've purchased a virus indexed own root Chrysler Imperial from Roses Unlimited, and it has been very attractive and healthy so far for me. It also blooms reliably. I am glad that I bought it. I'm not sure how it would/will do planted in the ground. Mine is in a pot and will remain so for awhile. I plan on grafting a piece of it to fortuniana when it is old enough for me to take a cutting from it. On fortuniana, and virus free, it is a good rose for Florida. Mine on fort did wonderfully until a hurricaine took it out.

Rose Mosaic has a tremendous effect on most roses from my experience....and not a good one either. It's like night and day to have a clean rose growing in the same garden as the same variety that is virused.

Sandy

Sherry, The Central Florida Heritage Rose Society sale that took place in October of 07 had CI on Fort. Maybe they will again if there is a future sale.

(If I knew then what I know now, I would of taken out a bank loan.)

Every one to their own experience as Mike says, but my initial Grafted Chrysler Imperial had RMV. It managed a respectible 22 years before I finally pulled it to renovate the bed. I also currently have an Aloha and a Tiffany that have RMV and both of those have lived and bloomed well into their double digits. I think Aloha may be over 20 years old by now. Within their life span I have pulled many own root virus free roses for underperformance. Own root/virus free is not a magic bullet. Below is my original Chrysler Imperial in its 17th year. Doesn't look too scimpy in the bloom department due to any virus problem it had (IMO).
{{gwi:311877}}

Figures! I put an end to my indecisiveness and emailed my rose list to Pat to find out which ones are in stock - CI was not on the list.

Mike & Sandy, I'm glad to hear you have had success with RU's CI. In my situation small is not a bad thing and is a lot better than huge, so that aspect is fine with me.

Maryl, that's a beautiful CI.

Mike, I like your words: healthy and bushy and a good bloomer. When Pat replies, I'll see where my order stands and then... Who knows???

Sherry

Sherry, best wishes on your quest for that rose! I think I understand Maryl's point that RMV is neither a guarantee of abysmal performance in a given rose, nor is virus-indexed source a "magic bullet." I've seen quite a few roses I knew were virused never thrive; others do fine initially but then decline. BUT, I agree there could be other factors in why a particular rose is not healthy. RMV just happens to be a good suspect. But like Maryl's example, I've also had a few roses I knew were virused (due to the tell-tale marbled pattern on occasional leaves) that nevertheless performed quite respectably. I've had specimens of Peace and Tiffany that did just fine. I only had mine less than 4 years, so how they would have done after 10 I don't know. If the research literature is correct though, a given RMV-infected specimen will still tend to do significantly worse over several years than that same specimen were it virus-free.
Whatever the reason for your CI's failing to thrive, it seems a good chance that the stock is weak for whatever reason. If you replace them with a source that has received good reviews (like RU), I think you'll be happy. I hope they'll have some available soon. If not, you might consider ordering from Northland Rosarium in Washington State. You have to order it specifically for spring, but they have a very good reputation for quality own-root roses, and they do try to screen out RMV-infected stock.
As for the potted vs. in-ground issue, I should have mentioned my roses are all potted. I have a suspician I can't prove that own-root roses are happiest when given a chance to develop for a while in a pot with good potting medium, rather than being planted in the ground as a little rooted cutting. Plus, if you're in central or southern Florida, you don't want to plant into the ground unless you're planting China rose varieties or roses grafted onto Fortuniana. Potting the roses and keeping the pot out of direct contact with the soil from the ground will help keep root-rot nematodes from invading the rose's root area.
Mike

Mike, my order from RU is a done deal, and sadly, virus-indexed CIs will not be coming to my house. Maybe another time. I really am going to start pampering these two CIs and see if that helps. Unfortunately, just thinking about going outside now causes me to sweat, but it was so nice and cool this evening when I took the dogs out. This weekend will be for gardening after the last two were for housecleaning and guests - yuck. I mean yuck to the cleaning not the guests. Thanks for your interesting remarks.

Sherry