HELPMEFIND PLANTS COMMERCIAL NON-COMMERCIAL RESOURCES EVENTS PEOPLE RATINGS
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Williams (c1833-1922), Alfred
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I found this article by A. Williams in the Brisbane newspaper 'The Queenslander' of 30 Jan 1892 regarding Williams' methods of raising from seed to be interesting. He stressed sowing the seed as soon as it was ripe. Obviously, in warm Brisbane, there was no winter stratification.
"Hints for Rose Growing by A. Williams Green Hill Nursery
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Raising New Varieties from Seeds.
Nearly all the varieties produce seed freely in this climate, especially the tea class, and although this method is somewhat uncertain as to results it is nevertheless a very pleasant and interesting occupation. The chief reason why it is not more largely undertaken by some of our amateur florists is because it is looked upon as a tedious undertaking, which is far from being the case. I have a large collection I have raised from seed, many of which are of equal merit with catalogued varieties. The seed should be allowed to ripen thoroughly before gathering, and when taken off the hips should be crushed with some light implement, such as a wooden mallet. Then pick out the seeds and sow in shallow boxes, pots, or pans, as the case may be. Use light soil with a fair proportion of fine sand. Cover the seeds about 1in. deep, and to hasten germination place in a well-sheltered and shady spot where a uniform temperature and moisture may be maintained. In five or six weeks many of the young seedlings will have made their appearance (provided the seed was sown as soon as gathered), and when sufficiently strong they should be picked out, care being taken not to disturb the roots nor any seeds that may be yet dormant. Pot into other pans or No. 60 flower pots and keep well sheltered until sufficiently strong to remove to the open ground. Many will bloom ere they are six months old, but little more than the colour can be distinguished yet, and they will require from nine to twelve months before their virtues can be fully decided upon. Cross-breeding, or as it is commonly called hybridising, of the different classes is effected by applying the pollen of one variety to the stigma of the other; when they are grown in close proximity this is often done accidentally by insects."
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Thank you HubertG, this is fascinating information!
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#2 of 4 posted
12 JAN 21 by
 HubertG
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Yes, I thought it was fascinating too. Funny that you should comment on it now because only a couple of days ago this article re-entered my mind because I had an early ripe hip of a Tea cross and wasn't sure whether to wait till the cooler weather to plant, or do it now. I think I should plant the seeds without waiting.
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let us know how they come along!
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#4 of 4 posted
14 JAN 21 by
HubertG
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Sure, will do. It was 'General Schablikine' x "Muriel Linton", so not a pure Tea cross, but could be interesting regarding perfume and winter flowering.
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Initial post
9 OCT 14 by
Jane Z
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Alfred Williams was born circa 1833 in Wales, & with his wife became the first settlers at Runcorn in 1868. (Mr Williams died in 1922)
The family cleared the ironbarks and eucalypts and a dam was built on the east of what became known as Williams Park. The first house was built at the top of the rise, but this was subsequently sold and moved and a second house was built further down the slope. The Williams family established a nursery, Green Hill which specialised in rose and fruit trees. Alfred was a member of the Yeerongpilly Divisional Board for several years at the beginning of the twentieth century, and he donated many items to the museum. Mrs. Williams was the midwife for the village.
Runcorn is a suburb on the south side of Brisbane, Queensland, and is about 19 kilometres (12 mi) from Brisbane’s central business district.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Runcorn,_Queensland
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Thanks for that Jane. Alfred Williams birth and death dates now seem more accurate than the ones quoted in The Oxford Companion to Australian Gardens. It is the first time I have been able to pick a hole in that wonderful book.
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In the following 1951 reference, it is mentioned that Alfred (usually referred to as Alf.) lived at Runcorn in Queensland.
1951 Australian Rose Annual
p121 Doreen Woodroffe. A Queensland Rosarian Looks Backward. At Runcorn, Alfred Williams raised many roses, generally naming them after keen flower lovers. .....Mrs. F. W. Woodroffe, a pink rose of many petals....were all raised at Runcorn.
However there were five articles written in the Australian Rose Annuals by a G. A. Williams, who also lived at Runcorn.
Williams, G. A. (Runcorn, Queensland) Training climbing roses . 1948-34
Williams, G. A. (Q’ld) Treatment of basal growths . 1949-99
Williams, G. A. (Runcorn, Q’ld) Roses and soils 1950-115
Williams, G. A. (Runcorn, Q’ld) Roses and rose stocks 1951-49
Williams, G. A. (Runcorn, Q’ld) Understocks in Queensland 1961-28
As Alfred Williams bred the majority of his roses from 1890 to 1914, it seems likely that G. A. Williams may have been a different person.
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