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The Blooming Roses of Mountain City Rose Park in Liouguei

◎English translation: Tan Shu-chun　◎Photos by Lu Yi-ru, Pao Chung-hui

　　Roses are symbolic of love, affection and friendship and are an economically valuable enterprise. Currently, Taiwan exports roses to many countries around the world. Roses generally have a short life span, however Mountain City Park in Liouguei utilize techniques of rosebush grafting in order to grow longer lasting tree roses. Tree roses are divided into categories with standard tree roses of 24, 36 and 48 inches and mini tree roses of 18- 24-nches. In Taiwan they are usually found in local markets and resemble Floribunda roses. Weeping tree roses are taller Floribunda roses, with heights that usually exceed 48 inches and exhibit a waterfall of flowers when in bloom.

	ㄇ字芽接(圖左起)　Grafting a rose bud   1.將樹皮以ㄇ字切開　Cutting U-shape onto tree rose   2.將芽接在上ㄇ字形開口　Grafting a bud onto the curve   3.用芽接帶包好捆緊，露出生長點　Creating spaces for buds to grow   4.在同一榛木多接幾個芽，預計三週後開始抽芽　Multiple buds blossoming on one rootstock

　　Kun-Huang Wang is the director of Mountain City Rose Park and is devoted to improving tree rose horticulture techniques. He was the first person to bring modern tree rose horticulture to Taiwan. He has also adapted techniques to meet local needs and environmental conditions. He has not only improved techniques but also developed anti-heat, disease resistant rootstocks. Wang is passionate about the rose tree industry and hopes to maximize production in Taiwan by grafting the world's best tree roses.

　　The grafting process begins with a carefully selected rootstock that are taken from the nursery and transplanted to the fields for one year. The tree rose is then cut and ablactated, transforming them into tree roses. They are then sent for winter rooting and grafting over spring. After a month and a half, the grafted plants are planted in fields and rose suckers are trimmed off. The plants are trimmed regularly and maintained with regular weeding, fertilizers and insecticides. After one and half to two years, the roses bloom and are ready for harvest. Export licenses require a year of inspections before they can be sent overseas.

　　Tree rose farmers are constantly developing new types of tree roses. They are always competing to develop more unique and novel species. Tree roses are easy to grow and capable of year-round blooms. Vintage types are also popular and economically valuable. Admission to Mountain City Rose Park is free to the public. Visitors can come and enjoy the colorful roses and learn about tree rose horticulture.

樹玫瑰 六龜山城的愛情物語

◎文／盧怡如　◎攝影／盧怡如、鮑忠暉

　　有「愛情之花」美稱的玫瑰，被視為美和真愛的化身，擁有愛情、純潔的愛、美好等花語，是最常用來表達情意的禮物，只是花開有期，保存不易。為了保留這份獨特的美麗，六龜「悠遊山城樹玫瑰」透過接穗與砧木的嫁接園藝技術，讓玫瑰生長在如樹型般的枝節上，使玫瑰蛻變成生命力更強、壽命更長的「樹玫瑰」。

　　樹玫瑰主幹高度是固定的，只會變得更粗壯，一般分為3類：主幹高度24、36、48吋的標準型，植株觀賞高度正好平行或略低於視線；18～24吋的迷你型，此類型目前國內普遍比較接受中輪多花品種；48吋以上垂枝型，垂枝品種枝條細軟多花，整株成熟時花開如瀑布般美麗。

　　樹玫瑰是園藝中的高經濟作物，國外已有悠久的歷史，目前國內多仰賴進口，不僅成本高，還需檢疫一年才能出售；這也是悠遊山城負責人王坤煌投入樹玫瑰植栽的原因。「除了引進樹玫瑰栽培技術外，更研發適合本地市場之栽植工法，因應環境需求與差異並加以改進，並研究耐熱抗病之砧木品種。為了改善樹玫瑰的產量，陸續引進世界上之最新優秀品種，作為樹玫瑰之接穗，以期作為市場優勢之產品。」王坤煌聊起最愛的玫瑰，臉上滿是熱情。

　　王坤煌更示範樹玫瑰嫁接技術。他解釋，首先選擇適合的砧木品種，並在田間培養約一年的時間，等砧木粗壯之後以高壓或扦插方式取得成活的樹玫瑰主幹，於冬至春季施行嫁接，約一個半月後接穗成活，再剪除砧木吸芽後，將樹玫瑰置田間施行施肥、除草、修剪、噴藥等管理，約一年半至兩年左右即可。他說，國內追逐更新的玫瑰品種，而樹玫瑰在相似度極高的玫瑰盆栽中，格外顯得獨特、新穎，且種植容易、花期長達全年，身價更隨種植年度而攀升，越老越美麗、越有價值感，相當具有競爭力。

　　悠遊山城開放部分園區，提供民眾免費參觀，讓遊客感受樹玫瑰強韌的生命力與色彩奔放帶來的感動。