As President of ARBA, I am delighted to recommend this satisfying hobby/past-time and would welcome any enquiries or questions from anyone who would like to find out about the process or join our association.

 Our Objects are:

• To promote the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the breeding of roses.

• To undertake any activity incidental to the breeding and promotion of Australian bred roses.

 I trust our newly established website will also provide you with some of the info to make your journey down this exciting path easier or more informed.  I have never expected to make any money out of breeding roses, but have always looked forward to the challenges and would always want to do more.

 I can’t imagine anything more exciting that to have a garden full of unique roses, all bred by myself and if I was one of those people who exhibits roses, to be able to compete with my own varieties on the show bench would be fantastic.

 There are several distinct steps in breeding roses for the Australian amateur:

• planning the crosses and preparing the seed and pollen parent for fertilization (Spring to early Summer in my garden);

• harvesting the heps, extracting and storing the seeds (late Summer to early Winter);

• planting the seeds out and their after care (six to eight weeks after havest);

• assessing seedlings and propagating those which have potential for either commercial production or further development;

• sending the best to the National Rose Trial Garden of Australia (Adelaide) for independent assessment;

• organise the registration and introduction of those considered worthy.

May your roses bloom and be a delight to your senses. 

Richard Walsh (President)