gemini_sage said:
Was looking into Freisia, thinking it was new to me, but saw in our database it is Sunsprite, that I've known about for a long time, but haven't tried.
I have it, it's nice but not great, it's fragrance is obvious but not especially strong when compared with most other fragrants and it's blooms (quite large) open up quite a bit as they age which I assume isn't the general preference given most other commercial cultivars I've had don't do that. No disease issues for me, breeds fairly easily. Keep in mind I'm in a warmer climate so results may vary. I'd be surprised if there isn't a better yellow though, given the fragrance probably being half strength compared with cultivars like Ebb Tide, Double Delight, etc and how the bloom ages a bit relaxed. It's still nice and has a number of good qualities but if there is another yellow that's caught your eye compare them and check reviews.
gemini_sage said: think a lot of modern hybrids are unable to grow a strong enough root system to develop into a sizable plant.
I think there is some truth in that but at the same time realise that doesn't make too much sense....I mean the original seedling had to have gotten big enough to make canes to graft and I don't see breeders leaving a seedling that isn't growing for several years on hope when they're probably got thousands to sow and asset each other. I do notice that some of the seedlings I've grown seem to reach an inch or two and then do nothing for a year or more (often have meh roots, if you don't grow out you go...but they might all have meh roots at an inch tall) while others first bloom happens a few months after germination. The ones that do better tended to have a species somewhat recently (like Friesia has a fair bit of Rosa eglanteria/rubiginosa not far back...although it is considered an invasive species in Australia and NZ so climate preferences or something)...granted this is anecdotal at best there could be other factors in common I can't see and I've fallen into confirmation bias.
