It shows a whole lot of Alba influence in person, too. Sepals, foliage, and hips, for that matter, which show some Damask influence in their shape, but which typically hold about five seeds, whereas pure Damasks do one seed per hip. Its seeds require close to a year of stratification, but germinate pretty reliably, and most seedlings I've gotten from it are healthy. Purer Albas usually require longer stratification, and have ploidy issues when used as seed parents, so Celsiana stands out as an easy breeder, whether one calls it a Damask or an Alba. Though it has no known offspring, I'd wager it had some just the same. Breeders who want to work with an OGR which is neither strongly gallica, or a poor seed bearer, should take note.
Its only drawback, relative to an Alba, is that it's pretty healthy unsprayed here, and most purer Albas are utterly spotless.
|
REPLY
|