It is fact the multiflora seedlings are "virus free". It is also fact previously commercially produced roses were used to provide bud wood for production. Some of these are from roses which have never been available as "virus indexed" or "virus free". Lavender Pinocchio is one. Lilac Charm is one. Grey Pearl is a strong possibility as its last major commercial source was Roses of Yesterday and Today which is infamous for infecting everything they touched with a strain of RMV for which there actually IS a DNA test. Grey Pearl has not been tested and it hasn't expressed symptoms in the thirty-plus years I have grown it (which means NOTHING, BTW) but it WAS produced by ROYAT so it should be strongly suspect. Both Lilac Charm and Lavender Pinocchio were also produced by ROYAT for many years. When you collect cuttings and/or bud wood from old commercially produced roses, you have no way of knowing their status until they are actually tested or they "tell you" when they express symptoms. Remember that the percentage of infected roses in the US industry was extremely high by the mid to late eighties, so anything commercially produced up to and during this period, stands a very good chance of being infected. So, no, this is NOT 'trashing' anyone's reputation based upon any assumptions. This is statement of fact based upon what material has been obtained, how it was obtained and from where.

@bayarea_girl_z10a_ca no she didn’t provide a list or anything. I read through her responses to comments and know that Evelyn is not one. I think she will send a private message with lists and prices. i believe her regulars run around $65 each and these are all 5yo roses cut down hard while dormant. I’m expecting I won’t be ordering any but figured I’d ask anyway.

@DDinSB (Z10b Coastal CA) Here is a pic of my Stephen Rulo before he gets the top chopped off. Look down to see the small shoot that's emerging... that's Stephen. The rest is the multiflora understock, which will be cut off right above the shoot Here is Oksana, a budded maiden I received a year ago. Look down at the base, and you'll see an old cut-off stem, which was the understock I cut off. And here is one of the Westminster Pinks I sent budwood to Steve for, and received a year ago. It's pretty easy to see where the understock was cut off. I just trimmed this one a couple of days ago Hope this helps you picture budded maidens! (as always, click on the pics to enlarge)

For all who wonder abput Kates roses, Grace Rose Farm, Plantroses, GcmRanch, Jessiesroses, and other rose/plant suppliers on Etsy…. or on their websites, I have ordered many of roses from them., There are different reasons for their pricing. They have many Japanese roses, unique to our US market and roses we don’t see sometimes from our popular nurseries. Supply/demand principle. And maybe they are just trying to make a living. I am willing to pay more for unique roses that I cannot find in nurseries elsewhere. Many of the Etsy sellers giving a personal touch to their orders, too. And I support these well-meaning kind businesses. They have always been very nice to me. I enjoy their personal thoughtful business! Small businesses often have higher prices just to stay in business. Some of the roses come small and some big! They are all growing nicely for me. i will have a thread in the spring/summer season to show these Etsy/Kates, Jessies, Grace Rose Farm roses grow! Loving them all! They are almost all new last summer/fall 2023-most need time to flourish this coming season 2024. As to Grace Rose Farm, she is very thoughtful and has education in marleting. I read her story of growing roses and she’s an amazing visionary and has done wonderful things with her business. She has bought a few properties, each an improvement and larger better location to grow roses; however, sometines she bpught roses from others when setting up to grow on the new property to ease transitions. She has a growing business. She gives out superb quality in orders!