Carol Its true it is pretty easy. I do usually add some perlite but I have a friend who hybridizes who has stoped even adding perilite just because it's a bit messy separating out the seeds for planting. I'm actually doing a bit of both this year to see if there is any noticeable difference. Now I said the germination rate didn't seem to be affected by mold.... but I was still changing out the paper towels when I used them and actually it's why I started putting perilite in the bags because it breaks up contact with other seeds giving the mold less of a foothold. I'm not worried about some mold I just don't want to create conditions in which it thrives.
Arturo it's fantastic your a member did you get the booklets? They are really helpful and I reread them seasonally. As for maturity, my roses are mostly modern types who want to bloom right away so my seedlings really just a few weeks old in the photos. Some not much bigger than four or five inches. So no magic wand unfortunately. I do start my seedlings usually In December so they get longer first growing season.
I have a friend who grows his seedlings in a greenhouse and gives them pinch granulated fertilizer and liquid feed and his plants grow much quicker than mine.
You mentioned your Rugosa and you probably know they are a bit diffrent. Rugosa will want to reach a mature size before blooming. Honestly you are ahead of me my rugosa seedlings are on year two. Good looking plants but yeah no flowers yet.
