Well here we are at the end of May and now I think I can safely report that I lost 60 roses out of 137. All but 5 of the ones I lost were planted in pots. In the past it was the potted ones that survived better than the ones in the ground. I don't know quite why this year took it's toll on the pots instead of the ones in the ground either. They were wrapped and packed in leaves just as well as always. Whereas NONE of the ones in the ground were protected at all and most of them survived, albeit cut nearly to the ground, but growing nicely now just the same. So I'm not sure protection made any difference. And I wouldn't put all my money on own root plants either. The 5 in the ground that I lost were 4 own root minis and a Knock Out. And my biggest losses in the pots were all of my own root mini and miniflora show roses. The only mini that survived was X-Rated. Which is weird because it's NEVER been a very vigorous grower for me. And then there are my seedlings. I lost all but 9 out of 78. And all of those are own root of course because they're from seed. So it wasn't protection or whether they were grafted or own root that made a difference as far as I can tell. Just the fickle finger of fate I think.

Yes it can be done. The seedpod was fine in a few days and eventually started to dry up. Eventually it cracked open and 39 viable seeds were harvested. Now this seedpod was due to ripen ina week or two as I already mentioned. I just don't know if it will also be successful with younger seedpods. By the way, I had to make a clean cut off the end everytime I see a red coloration to make sure no rot would invade the seedpod. Tonight I just cut off a scape of Emerald that I have pollinated last week. I placed it in a jar of water to try this method. I did this not to try an experiment but to save my Emerald (newly purchased) bulb. It has shrunk so much after putting out 3 scapes. I was thinking, the pollination would definitely not take in this situation anyway. So, why not cut the scape and try to continue the pollination process using this method. At the same time, I would be giving the poor stressed bulb some chance to survive.

Just an update on my extremely lumpy Valerie Maree seedpods...the first pod (the smallest) attempted to ripen normally and started to split at the seams..I was able to harvest 6 mottled brown seeds..now soaking but I don't hold out much hope for these. The second pod was turning black here and there on the outside of the pod and showed no signs of splitting so I open it and the seeds were all wet and mushy..a total loss. The third pod started showing signs of turning black on the outside so I opened it and got about 10 seeds from this one..these were darker in color but, but the large seeds in the center were soft!! I am now soaking these, but don't hold any hope for these either. I have one last pod still on the plant, this one looks a bit better as it hasn't yet started to turn black on the outside. Why was this selfing such a disaster on such a seemingly healthy rooted, robust plant? I have never ever had seeds turn mushy before the pod ripens? Would it have made a difference if I had hadn't selfed it..I had no other pollen that I was 100% sure wasn't virused at the time.. as I didn't want to contaminate this bulb (assuming that IT is healthy) Here is a picture of the 3rd pod that I opened at the first sign of black on the outside.. Oh well, I still have one more pod to go...the other seedpods were far more rotted from the inside than this one.....Thanks!! Donna

Thanks I'll google that type! Anyone with any local area knowledge on where to purchase clematis? Would be appreciated! Frisco/Plano/McKinney area is local but I'd drive further to pick it up myself.