Sales of Rosa MysticaŽ (Margen) by Nino Sanremo (exclusive propagator) have slowed down after a highly successful launch at Euroflora in May. This variety was chosen in a competition by the Vatican as a permanent dedication to the Madonna on the 150th anniversary of the dogma of the immaculate conception. Current commercial problems with the new variety concern price; the cost of the royalty plus label is more than that of the young plant itself and this is holding down sales. A spokesman for Nino Sanremo hopes that the widely read Catholic press will help inform and promote the new rose with the readership. The bush rose produces delicately coloured white-pink flowers with a persistent perfume. Bred by Antonio Marchese it flowers all year round in Liguria.
The rediscovered species Wollemi nobilis today enjoys trademark protection as the Wollemi PineŽ. Authorized distributors in Europe (members of Proven Winners) receive young plants from the exclusive propagator in Australia for growing on and distribution. Others growers point out however that rediscovered species cannot be legally patented or protected which gives them equal right to cultivate and distribute the container plants of W. nobilis. Presuming of course that they can legally obtain young vegetatively propagated young plants or grow them from seed; something rather more difficult than a point of principle and linked to the justifiable and meritorious payment of royalties to the official propagator required for plant conservation! |
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