You are right, Zuzu. Some of the roses of that era were never tested to grow own root. When I read Herb Swim's book, he said that when a seedling was chosen for testing, it was immediately grafted and then tested. Those seedlings were never tested to see if they had the vigor to grow on their own roots.
I wouldn't bother with a plant that was not a vigorous rose. Kim's rescue of his 'Basye's Legacy' in the post above shows that even own root plants can dwindle for one reason or another and be rescued. Kim has used the rose in his breeding program, so it would be a big loss to him.
I don't even want to think about growing bands again because it takes me a minimum of two seasons to get a root mass large enough to plant out in this garden. Over wintering small plants is challenging and I hate having to baby them through the heat of my summer.
I have found a nursery that sells wonderful grafted roses, but I doubt if they will ever carry many of the old roses I have loved in the past.
Smiles,
Lyn
