What does it mean when a patented rose I buy says “asexual propagtion prohibited”?
A patented rose is protected by law from copying. Nurseries must enter into a contract with the creator of this variety to keep a log of production of this variety, and pay the royalties accordingly. Its the same as copyright that protects recording artists right to collect royalties from sales of their work. When we purchase a patented rose, we are not supposed to propagate this plant. Please consider the fact that the roses we value have cost the breeder/introducer a great deal to introduce, and they are very much deserving of their royalties. (Did you know that major breeders have to produce hundred of thousands of seedlings each year just to be able to introduce 2 or 3 new varieties? That is an expensive process!) Please do not indisciminately propagate patented roses!
