The world’s most expensive rose is the “Juliet” rose, which was developed by David Austin and reportedly cost over $5 million to create.
The average cost to develop a rose from seed can vary widely depending on various factors such as the type of rose, the breeding program, and the resources invested in the development process. Here are some general cost factors to consider:
- Research and Development: This includes costs associated with breeding programs, research facilities, labor for breeding and cultivation, and any specialized equipment or technology used in the process.
- Materials: Costs for seeds, soil, pots, fertilizers, pesticides, and other materials required for germination, cultivation, and maintenance of rose plants.
- Time: Breeding roses from seed can be a time-consuming process, often taking several years to produce a marketable variety. The longer the breeding process, the higher the overall cost due to ongoing maintenance and labor.
- Space and Infrastructure: Costs related to greenhouse space or field trials, infrastructure for irrigation, temperature control and other means of automation, and protection from pests and diseases.
- Regulatory and Intellectual Property Costs: Costs associated with obtaining patents or other intellectual property protections for new rose varieties, as well as any regulatory compliance expenses. These costs can add up very quickly as they usually involve attorneys and minimum costs for application.
- Marketing and Distribution: Costs for marketing, promotion, and distribution of the new rose variety once it is ready for market.
- Risk: There is always a risk involved in plant breeding, as not all seeds will produce desirable varieties. Costs associated with failed breeding attempts or unsuccessful varieties should also be factored in (soil, time, space, etc.).
Overall, the average cost to develop a rose from seed can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per variety, with some exceptional cases costing even more, especially if they involve specialized breeding techniques or rare parent plants.