What an unlikely parent: I do my hybridizing, I use what pollen I have, when I have it and vice versa with the parents. Summer '12 used Paradise as the Mother and, in order of pollen application to the stigma, COMANCHE--MRS. SAM MCGREDY---SUNSONG as possible Fathers (I do mix pollen for fun/guaranteed takes when I have few to work with as in after a thunderstorm, etc.)

Rose hybridizing is nothing if not a mix of hope, heartbreak and simple surprise................not only did Paradise hold that hip, I got 20 seeds, of which 15 germinated (far and above the bell curve and 2 within 48 hours and all after 3 months in the fridge)............3 of the 15 have bloomed and I at first, seeing they were RED in the bud assumed Comanche was the Father...............oh so very wrong! SUNSONG, last to arrive at that party, is the Father. And how do I know this? Because the baby blooms are super-petaled AND HAVE THAT WEIRD POINT ON THE PETAL just like Sunsong.............the leaves look like Paradise and one is a true, solid cherry red and I HOPE blooms in pannicles like Sunsong because if it does, it would still not be a rose to be marketed, but would basically be a "more handsome" and somewhat more "unique" version of El Capitan which would make me happy................who knew that weird petal shape would carry through and define/identify the FATHER on these first 3...............Paradise tends to pass on foliage? Sunsong passes on that weird petal and the petal #. And red seems to default to Paradise lineage.............worthless seedlings but eager and healthy and roses never cease to amaze me...............

If there has ever been a rose released at the wrong time, this would be it! the 70's were all about exhibition.........and no matter how your mind streches to try to encompass all sorts of exhibition possibilities, Sunsong to this day just will not fit. Yes, the blooms look like a DAHLIA. But yes, it IS a clear, fresh orange at first opening..........maybe seeing Gingersnap on the horizon about that time Armstrong thought to give this one a shot on color, but what a strange choice and more, so few Poulsen roses have gotten off here in the US, this is one of the very few....very odd..........