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Miniatures are (equal tetraploids) the modern Miniatures are exclusively derived from 3 varieties crossed with other larger roses of various types: 'Tom Thumb, Oakinton Ruby and 'R. Rouetii'. Ralph Moore of Visalia, California has been breeding miniature roses for over 60 years. When he started nobody was breeding them and they were a mere novelty. Miniature roses have become the biggest sellers in the roses market. Most of these small roses are perfectly hardy. The early miniatures were largely chance discoveries from China and Switzerland, and were thought to be a variety named R. chinensis minima. In the 1800's they were referred to as Lawrencianas, named after one of their discoverers. A number of varieties were well known at that time, (1810-1846) but sadly, it appears that all of them have become extinct. The gene for miniature is a dominant gene to other members of the china family but not to non-tea members. The early Miniatures are prone to being sterile. I have tried but I just don't care for miniature for the most part. I do like them as pot plants in the house though I only have two (they are the only roses that will fit in the house). They just don't seem like a real rose to me. They lack scent and the blooms seem star-ish looking. I feel the best thing for minis is if they are bred back to some of the old garden roses. I may in the future breed them back to Portlands and Hybrid Perpetual. This I feel would give the up until now mostly scent-less minis some perfume and maybe less China looking. Mr. Moore has done a lot of out crossing but perhaps they skipped some important milestones in their evolution? Maybe it is just me ?
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