THE ROSE SOCIETY OF PUNE

The Rose Society of Pune | Best Rose Society in India

Members of the rose society came together to spread love of ‘Rose ‘ which in itself is the universal symbol of love and peace It is pertinent vto note that during the pre independence period , there was a great rose scientist in our city. Late MR. GANGADHAR BALAJI PATWARDHAN (Professor of Botany, College of Agriculture, and Pune) who carried out studies in the city of Pune, from the point of view of growing rose plants. He wrote a book in English on the, basis of his research and observations on ‘Rose culture and cultivation practices and translated in Marathi, for the benefit of people as back as in the year 1915. This is claimed to be the first book in Marathi on cultivation of Roses. The information in the book is useful as on today also. A copy of this book is available in the library of our society.

At the inception of the Society, the main problem was of non availability of good quality rose plants and roses. An electrical engineer by profession Late MR. N.A.JOSHI,who was also a founder member and past president of our Society, out of his love about roses invented a method for propagation of roses, which is now popularly known as “N.A. JOSHI POLYBAG METHOD”. The method has become popular. This method converted the backbreaking task of budding into an indoor activity which like a conveyor based assembly line which could easily produce thousands of budded plants in a day by just a team of three or four skilled workers. This ingenious method of propagation of roses almost like a industry has started the modern rose revolution. Millions of rose plants are supplied to rosarians from distant lands from over four hundred rose plant nurseries in and around Pune. For the invention of this ingenious method which started a revolution as a rose production industry he was honoured by the Maratha Chamber of Commerce and Industries by presenting him the prestigious Parkhe Award.for an Innovative idea He the first Indian rosarian who was honoured to be a judge by American Rose Society Rose Show and was invited for the same in the year 1985. Now our society is giving trophy in the memory of this great rosarian in the Winter Rose Show every year to the best roses of the variety Black Lady or Double Delight. Another trophy has been instituted by the society since Monsoon Rose Show 2010 in the memory of Late MR. N.A. JOSHI for the best rose in the show, ‘King of the Show Trophy ’. The rose society is proud of the great rosarian.

The Rose Society Of Pune is the first City Rose Society of India and prides itself as the Mother rose society. The present network of rose societies in western India is a result of direct or indirect inspiration received from it. The Rose Society of Mumbai, Phaltan, Ratnagiri, Sangali, Kolhapur, Ichalkaranji, Chiplun and others owe a lot of their foundation to the society efforts and co-operation by their rosarians from our Society.

Anecdotes

The history of the rose which is deemed to be the king of the flowers, is very entertaining As well as educational from the rosarians found in Oregon and Colorado scientists have Estimated that rose plants existed on the earth since 35 0 million years i.e. Even before the existence of man! Roses were offered to Isis, the ancient Egyptian deity. The Egyptians also made a rose Embroidery patterns on their clothes. The Sumarians and Akadians were also aware of The rose. The Chinese jealously guarded the secretes of rose cultivation since 2700 Years BC. According to Confucius about ten thousand books on roses were available in the Imperial Library of China at one time.From 500 years BC.

In the 3rd century BC, Theofrastus wrote his treatise entitled ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS in which he has described the numerous varieties of rose-from 5 petals to 100 petals. In the Indian culture and heritage too the roses has been accorded an important place. It is considered that Laxmi the Goddess Of Wealth, was born from rose petals.

The rose also occupies a place of honour in Islam. The Muslims consider that the rose was born when a drop of sweat from the prophet Mohammed fell on the ground. Their Literature is replete with metaphors pertaining to roses (e.g. RUBAIYAT of OMAR KHAYYAM).

The rose was cultivated on a commercial basis for the first time in the Roman Emperor Nero. Thousands of rose petals were spread in his palace in lieu of a carpet. The Romans also used rose water and rose-perfume on various occasions. The Romans Also organised a ‘Festival of Rosalia’ every year on the Samoa Island in the month of May and September. They were the first to plan elaborate rose gardens in their empire.

After the decline and fall of Roman Empire the art of cultivation and development of Roses was dormant for a few centuries.

It was the Persians (in modern days – Iran) who received the rose culture in the 6th Century. Like the Romans, the Persians were also fervent rose lovers. Not only all the Persian cities, but also their mountains and country sides were engulfed by roses. The Persian devised the technology to extract rose oil. Rich and noble Persians literally used to sleep on bed of roses. The rose culture spread to Spain and Europe from Persia. In the 10th Century, it spread to eastern countries like Japan, etc.Around the year 1953, books describing the scientific planning of rose gardens began to appear. In the 18th century, the French empresses Josephine cultivated the first rose Nursery. She developed an exquisite rose garden around her palace in Malmaison (Marseilles), which became famous throughout the world.

The advent of the industrial revolution in Europe heralded the use of new and improved techniques in the cultivation of roses. The Royal National Society was established in England in 1876 and The American Rose Society in 1892. Since then, a lot of research activity is going on to improve the various aspects of the rose. No doubt this will benefit all the rose lovers of the world.