if mf rootstock was the worst for fl then why is mf considered a noxious weed there?It is my understanding that some areas of fl have a nematode problem and fortuniana isn't bothered by the nematodes. It is also my understanding that a few of the hybrid teas don't do well on their own roots, but they are usually listed as such.probably just hard to get established or slow growers.albas are hard to get established,and i've read some places hard to root, but once they get established are one tough rose.It's about time and patience.whatta they say, give em three years?

Hummmmm...very good questions!

Of course, I grow Perle d'Or on its own roots and it does just fine for me. Wonder why Malcolm says it won't?? It must grow good farther south perhaps on its own roots?

I grow Mrs. BR Cant on her own roots just fine too and not next to a cement slab as he says to do. Mine has the weirdest growth though...lop sided. Others have said theirs grow lop sided too. Most of my roses are own root. I have one Fortuniana rootstock...White Lighting...it is an okay bush. I haven't seen nothing special so far with Fortunaina...my own roots grow as good as the one White Lighting does on Fort. That said....I would love a Papa Meilland on Fort.....or a Crimson Glory.

I have no good nursery near me, I have to mail order most of my roses. I have been told that Nelson roses have RMV really bad...I don't have any Nelson roses though.

Deb

Its a street by street,yard by yard, situation with Rootstock for Florida roses.Some of us do fine with Dr.Huey,ownroots or fortuniana.So while its tempting for those of us in this category to say ``Sure,they all work'' its better to suggest you check around your neighborhood and with local nurseries who know what they are talking about.

Sometimes all you can do is try it. Pete is right, the soil and pest situation is extremely varied down here. I noticed the soil in the Lakeland area looks generally much poorer than what I have here locally.

I'm not sure I'd put something in my yard that is considered a noxious weed, not even as an experiment. Sometimes round-up doesn't work on things down here.

Sandy

Sherryocala, very interesting questions!

I hope you get answers from Malcolm, I loved to read the answer and explanation even though I donÂt have to be worried of nematodes.

Tracey at Seminole antigue rose and herb farm near Eustis would be a mighty good starting point for your quest.She has customers all over the state.

Deb, I was just yesterday looking at the K & M Nursery list (In Mississippi), and I'm pretty sure Papa Meiland was on the list. They graft on Fortuniana. You have to contact them via email, phone or fax. When I get home, I'll get it to you via email. Is that OK?

BTW, how old is your Perle d'Or? And Malcolm does say Mrs B R Cant can be grown on her own roots. Is your soil sandy or more clay? He says in the north part of the state they have more normal soil - similar to Georgia, but that may not be the same for the Panhandle.

Pete and Sandy, sounds kind of random. I removed a Hybiscus that had only been in the ground about a year and noticed a few nodules on the roots. Not knowing any better, I assumed it was from nematodes which did not bode well for a nearby Golden Showers on Dr Huey (who has since left the premises.) I'm wondering now if the nodule was from nematodes or if they are the same ones that bother roses.

ceterum, glad you're interested. Stay tuned.
Sherry

Sherry, I'd love the info you can send me! Do you have the list of roses??? I have 2 Perle d'Ors...one is 6 years old and the other is 3. They are wonderful roses...blooming fools for sure.

Panama City is joked about as being the "lower Alabama", so perhaps the soil is like Georgia/Alabama combo. LOL
My soil is not too sandy...it has clay in it, benefits from being a cow pasture for years and years.

Deb

Deb, if you go to the Central Florida Rose Society link below, scroll down. They have an older list of what K & M has and the phone #. I think he's changed his email since then, and he's added some roses to the list. That will give you the basic list, and he will fax you his new list. His prices are now $16, $18, and $20 (not $14, $16, and $18.) Pretty reasonable. That will be quicker than waiting for me.

I was very hopeful when I saw the ages of your Pd'Os, but then you had to go and tell me you don't have sand and a cow pasture to boot. Well, poo! I just hate to think of things dying - slowly, painfully. You know how I worry. Everyday I'll walk out there expecting to see "decline". If I knew I'd get 5 good years or 6 or 4, then I could honestly postpone my worrying for that long and be back to being worryfree.
Sherry

Here is a link that might be useful: Central Florida Rose Society

Sherry, you could probably grow a Perle d'Or. Have you thought of enriching the soil you put the rose in? Perhaps some compost...oak tree leaves? I had sandy soil in Tallahassee when I lived there a few years after I married. The roses I grew there were fine too, I just watered them more.

Thanks for the link!!!(bad girl...enabling me!!!)

Deb :o)))

I think all chinas do fine on their own root for me. I'm sure if they have more genes in another class, then it might be better to go fortuniana. I also have Cecile Brunner doing well on its own root. As well, if a tea rose has a lot of china in it's blood, it does well on its own root. Examples for me are Lady Hillingdon and Safrano. LaMarne, for some reason does well on its own root too, for me.

I guess genes are a funny thing and few roses are pure this or pure that. I quess they've been tried and some have failed and some have passed. I have had hybrids on other root stocks, but they piddle away to nothing, don't know why that is either. As for multiflora, I haven't had that as root stock, but I did have a minor invasion once. I'd recommend several acres if one is to grow multiflora in Florida.

Deb, I'm so proud. I think you're my first enablee.
Gardenparty, I have no plans to grow Hybrid Multiflora. I just don't understand why it can grow on its own roots but isn't good for rootstock. Oooooh, wait a minute. I remember something about the northern rootstocks needing a rest for dormancy without which they wear themselves out, but still, the "noxious weed" doesn't wear itself out. So I'm still in the dark. And I sure wish Tausendschon would rebloom in the fall. If it doesn't, I think it's gone. I can put Peggy Martin on that arbor and have roses all the time. When I bought it, I was told it wasn't a once bloomer.
Sherry

I agree with Pete, it just depends on your specific location in Florida. Personally I have had very poor luck with fortuniana rootstock. Most of my plants just faded away over several years time, just as those on Dr Huey are supposed to do here.
The roses on multiflora and Dr. Huey have done very well for me, as have most of those own root.
But I think it was my location and the soil I was growing them in. I moved just a few weeks ago and the soil here is very different. I'll try some roses on different rootstocks and I'm bringing several own root roses with me. In a few years I will have a better idea which ones do the best in this location.