Rose Black magic

No matter how hard the breeders try, no one succeeds in achieving a black natural color in a rose. This color does not at all mean mourning and sadness, in the modern world it is rather a color of a business style, personifying strength of mind. That is why dark-colored roses are so popular in flower shops (especially before March 8), and many world-famous rose growing companies are working on the creation of new varieties that are closer to the cherished color. German scientists from Tantau came very close to solving the mystery of the natural black color, presenting magnificent Black Magic to flower growers.

History of creation, origin

This fantastic flower appeared in 1995 in Germany. The birthplace is the famous Tantau rose growing company. The master who created this perfection is Hans Jürgen Ewers. In Germany and Europe, the variety was officially registered in 1997 under the name that describes the magical color of the flower - Black Magic. The variety is part of the extensive Flower Rain series. The official name is Black Magic and is a registered trademark. It is included in the generally accepted color classification Dark red. The unique code name is TANkalgic. In the USA, our heroine gained fame in 1998. Since 2001, the Jackcon & Perkins company owns a patent for its breeding, while the name remains the same, and the unique code is changed to TANkalcig. The largest supplier of roses in Australia, Knight's Roses, introduced the variety as "Daniel Morkombe", part of the proceeds from the sale is transferred to the fund of the same name, which helps victims of crime and informs children about safety.

Our heroine was conceived and originally grown exclusively as a cut plant (and still remains the leader in cut cultivation). But Black Magic has shown worthy qualities of garden culture, gaining incredible popularity in this status. The favorite of many flower growers is grown mainly in the dry and hot climates of California, Australia, on the African continent. But rose growers in Europe and Russia also could not resist the charm of a beautiful rose, therefore, in a cool climate, they try to arrange their pet in the garden as comfortably as possible.

Black Magic is a hybrid tea variety. To get an unusual dark and dense color of the petals, it was necessary to select species that at least remotely resemble the desired result. Red Velvet, or TANorelav (Tantau), and KORlimit, or Cora Marie (Cordes) were selected for crossing. Both parents are dark red in color.

Awards

Our heroine was awarded awards for her incredible color and excellent qualities. In 2000, she received the Golden Rose at the competition in Baden-Baden. In 2010, the prize for long-lasting flowering was presented to her by the jury of the American Rose Society (AARS). And in 2011, at the same Black Magic competition, she was awarded the title of "Queen of the Show".

Description

The plant has good vigor, reaches a height of 100 - 150 cm. It grows up to 100 cm wide. Strong, upward-growing shoots form an elongated, erect bush, but, like most cut species, the bottom can become bare during growth. Although many growers mention that adult bushes are quite dense, they do not even shine through. The thorns are small, the spine of the shoots is weak. The leaves are decorative, large, of a deep dark green color, sometimes with reddish-crimson edges, the surface is glossy. The young foliage of Black Magic is tinged with a reddish-bronze hue. 1 bud appears on the stem of a rose, very rarely a brush of 4 buds can form.

The classic conical bud really looks black. In the initial stage of blooming, it continues to retain its dark color, but the blossoming Black magic flower changes color. The petals take on dark red or burgundy shades, but the play of light and shadow still creates the illusion of black. Closer to the center, the color becomes brighter and softer, changing to dark crimson.Separately, I would like to say about the high quality of the black magic petals, which really resemble the most delicate dark velvet, capable of conveying the entire magical play of color shades. Dissolving, the edges of the petals gracefully bend back, and already in the stage of complete dissolution, the flower acquires a cup-shaped shape. According to technical characteristics, the flower is terry, consists of 30 - 40 petals, size 8 - 9 cm, but some sellers indicate a larger diameter - up to 12 cm.

The combination of luscious, shiny foliage with a dark rose color looks mysterious, solemn. But the rich color of the petals can vary depending on the composition of the soil, its acidity, climate and planting site. Therefore, the flower queen Black magic can be multifaceted, that is, have a color of different intensity.

Bloom

Black Magic belongs to the re-flowering. Numerous rave reviews speak of abundant and long flowering, calling the rose a real hard worker. The break between the first and second wave of flowering is almost imperceptible. Flowers appear in early summer, buds open slowly. The flowering period lasts from June - July to September - October, depending on the region.

Characteristics

• Black magic blooms the next year after planting;
• the beauty is quite thermophilic, although according to the classification of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) it corresponds to zone 6, that is, it is capable of overwintering at -23.3 ° C. But some sources specify that the optimal winter temperature should not be lower than -18 ° C;
• average immunity, black spot and powdery mildew can be a cause for concern in unfavorable years. Although some rose growers claim that during the cultivation the rose never hurt. Aphids were seen among the pests;
• the aroma is weak, but present. He is described as gentle, sweetish, pink, unobtrusive;
• flowers are moderately resistant to rain. But still, rose growers praise the resistance of the petals to high humidity;
• it is noted that the color does not fade in the sun, and when it gets colder it becomes darker;
• in a vase, a rose can remain attractive for up to 10 days, according to other sources, the bouquet will last almost 2 weeks without losing its decorative effect;
• up to 26 long, high-quality stems with magnificent velvety flowers can be cut from one Black Magic bush per season.

Planting and leaving

Most flower growers recommend planting seedlings in the fall. But in central Russia, you can carry out the procedure in the spring. Choose a place for a charming representative of the hybrid tea family that is well-lit, closed from drafts, but slightly blown. It is advisable to prepare and fill the landing pit in advance. The culture is very responsive to nutrient input. In the spring, use nitrogen-containing top dressing, which will help to quickly build up vegetative mass. Starting from the second half of summer, give preference to phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. Experienced growers, at the very beginning of flowering, introduce organic matter, for example, a mullein solution. Water regularly, the soil should not dry out too much. But excessive moisture can cause fungal disease. For the winter, it is advisable to insulate the bush. Correct pruning will help maintain the decorative effect of Black magic for a long time, increase the number of flowers.

Growing Black Magic is no more difficult than any other hybrid tea rose. A plant with an unusual dark color of flowers will charm and bewitch at first sight. That is why this variety is so popular in landscape design. It is often used in group plantings, surrounded by plants that have white or blue flowers, for example, daylily or delphinium. The bush will look great on a well-groomed lawn. Decorative low shrubs - chaenomeles, steppe almonds will serve as a good background for our heroine.

This strong rose, coping with many challenges of nature, will become a real decoration of the garden, fill it with mystery and mystery. And your great love and care will help her in this.