Relations between time of sprouting of the scion in the nursery, the time of formation and number of basal bottom-breaks, and the number of harvested shoots of glasshouse rose clones on R. canina ‘Inermis’

Abstract

In 3 successive years, different batches of Hybrid Tea-rose seedlings, selected for cut-rose properties, were bench-grafted on to R. canina ‘Inermis’. Plants were grown in a rose house for 11 months. Clones, the scions of which sprouted early in the nursery, had both earlier and more basal bottom-breaks (BB) — resulting in a higher number of shoots harvested — than late-sprouting clones. Basal BB's emerged over a 22-week period, starting approximately 14 weeks after sprouting of the scion. The value set in practice on a high number of basal BB's as a basis for high flower production was confirmed. In the selection procedure for better yielding cultivars, breeders are recommended to pre-select for a high number of basal BB's in seedlings. The possible use of the time of sprouting of the scion as a parameter for rootstock vigour is discussed.