Calcutta 300

The Calcutta 300 is a legendary, highly fragrant Indian-bred hybrid tea rose known for its vibrant pink double blooms featuring distinct white stripes.

OVERVIEW & HISTORY

• CLASS: Hybrid Tea Rose.

• ORIGIN: Discovered and bred in India in 1994 by Swamy Vinayananda and B.S. Bhattacharya; it is a sport of the 'Taj Mahal' rose variety.

• AVAILABILITY: Widely found across local West Bengal plant markets (such as Kolkata's Galiff Street Market) and online specialized nurseries.

BLOOM CHARACTERISTICS

• COLOR & PATTERN: Vibrant pink petals adorned with consistent light pink or white stripes and a deep pink reverse; the striped pattern appears reliably on nearly all blooms.

• FORM: Double bloom structure with roughly 17 to 25 ruffled petals per flower, producing large, solitary flowers on slender stems.

• FRAGRANCE: Known for a strong, sweet, and pleasant fragrance.

• FLOWERING SEASON: Blooms in heavy flushes throughout the year, performing exceptionally well during Indian winters.

PLANT FEATURES & CARE GUIDE

• MATURE SIZE: Grows into a medium-height upright bush reaching about 90 to 120 cm (up to 2 meters under ideal ground conditions).

• SUNLIGHT: Requires at least 6 hours of direct daily sunlight to maximize bud formation and flowering.

• SOIL & WATERING: Thrives in rich, well-draining loam soil. Water regularly when the topsoil feels dry to the touch.

• FEEDING: Considered a "hungry" plant; regular feeding with organic fertilizers like mustard cake liquid (khail) helps sustain continuous flushes.

• PRUNING & MAINTENANCE: Low-to-moderate maintenance; manageable height can be maintained using soft pruning after bloom cycles.