ALAKAZAM is a miniflora from Bob Martin. As per a notation made last January on the For Love of Roses blog, the rose will come out in September. However, on their Facebook page, there was a post made on August 20th that the rose will come out toward the end of the year. It's noted as a sport, but a sport of what, they don't say. I do know, I will be on the lookout for this rose.

I would love to know what the parentage is!

Beth, this is off topic, but do you know anything about PEPPERMINT KISSES? I ordered that from For Love of Roses.

Ooops... I tend to skim when I read and missed that it's a sport. I wonder if they will revealwhat the mother is. Whatever it is it should be a nice replacement for SIMSALABIM for those who are trying to find it to no avail.

From the looks of the photo on the Facebook ForLoveofRoses page, the bloom is smaller than SIMSALABIM. Look for the August 20, 2015 entry to see the photo. I wonder about the stability of the stripes. Also, as per this article on Striped Roses, stripes are caused by spontaneous mutations, also known as ‘sports’. I wonder if that's what they meant when they said ALAKAZAM is Bob Martin's new sport?

Well, I can tell you, my SIMSALABIM is not a large bloom. Most of them average only about 2" or less. Kinda like ABRACADABRA. They're all more like minifloras.

Beth, there's a write-up in the Horizon 2015 about this rose.

Alakazam is finally in stock at For Love of Roses. There are only 6 left, but there is a notation that they will take back oders.

I ordered (2) Alakazams from For Love of Roses in February with an anticipated ship date of June. Richard sent a quick reply asking if I noticed the ship date and I said sure, I can wait for that beauty. He did send an email out on Oct 21st indicating the difficulty he's had in propagating it but that he had 8 mother plants now and is changing their rooting process to see if he can get successful cuttings to folks in mid-March 2017. If it doesn't work, then it's either an alternative rose or refund, plus a free rose either way as an apology, and he would remove Alakazam as an offering. I'm hoping it does work out but I completely understand if it doesn't.

I had also ordered a Memphis Music (it would be my second) that's not being very cooperative either - Dec is the anticipated ship date for it. I have an Abracadabra that I managed NOT killing this summer (from Rogue Valley). I love me some red/yellow stripeys!

Wow love that upper bloom with the wider stripes in your 2nd photo, Jasmine! I like when they have less striping and are almost... what's the term... a "chimera?" Guess I'll have to get on the waiting list for one in March (if they have one).

Laura, don't ya just love ABRACADABRA?

Thanks, Laura for the tip on Abracadabra. It looks like it is also a sport of Hocus Pocus. There is a waiting list for this too. I'll see how I can get on it.

Beth - I do love it! I did find a pic I took of it back in Sept. Just for grins I also took a pic of Memphis Music at the same time (cell phone camera, not the greatest quality).

Jasmine - I had ordered Abracadabra early this year when it was available and I managed to kill it by May, but I was lucky that it was offered as a free rose if I ordered 4 (ordered 2 Golden Buddhas, Licorice Tea, and New Zealand), and the 2nd Abra ended up working out better. I need to quit having my delivery time in March when it's raining so much up here!

If I didn't have Abra and Memphis Music marked, I'm not sure I would be able to tell the difference.

Abracadabra:

Memphis Music:

Update: I ordered Alakazam as a gift for a friend of mine in December 2015. She finally received it at the end of the last week of November, almost 2 years later. I'm grateful to Richard Anthony of For Love of Roses for not giving up on propagating this rose. He also included a coupon for a free rose as an apology for the delay in filling the order. The rose is now showing as "in stock", but who knows for how long.

Aargh, I wasn’t going to order any more roses this year! I only had to wait three more weeks, but nooo, I had to click on this thread.

I’ve been waiting for Alakazam, so just ordered x2, as well as Memphis Magic, Solar Flair, & Whirlaway.

I already have Abracadabra & Memphis Music, but prefer Abracadabra’s flower form better. They are very similar unless viewed side by side. I can’t wait for Alakazam to bloom!

After waiting for 2 years and 4 months, I got my 2 Alakazam from forloveofroses. Can’t wait when they bloom :) Helen

Congrats! Proof that patience is a virtue. My Alakazam is just a little larger than yours. My friend and I received ours after one year and 11 months. Thanks to Richard for persevering with the propagation.

Jasmine, did you ever get Peppermint Kisses ? I got one last year and it really took off. It is an adorable rose. I don't think I have s photo. This year for sure.

Thanks Jasminerose. I waited 2 years for Osiria and 2+ years for Alakazam. They are all worth the wait :) I ordered Alakazam about the same time as you but my order was delayed many times until now. It was kind of funny every time I emailed Richard asking about my order I always chose my words carefully because I knew he has been working very hard to propagate this rose.

Beth, thank you for always letting us know about all the unique gorgeous roses that are available for ordering. Helen

For love of roses has several that I am dying to get. I just ordered and received Memphis music. I'm excited about that and any of the Dave Bang offerings that will be coming hopefully this summer.

Richard works really hard to propagate healthy roses and I know he doesn't send any out until they have bloomed and they can find consistency in the blooms.

Kristine, I grew Peppermint Kisses and it was a terrific bloomer. I remember recommending it to you as an alternative when you couldn't find Gigi. I gave mine to a friend to make way for a sentimental rose given to me by my supervisor. My Alakazam will remain in a pot. I love my garden, but it is very small.

I'm waiting for them to get in stock some MEMPHIS CAJUNs. I had one and it died. Want it bad!

Jasmine I do remember that now. When I called Richard at for love of roses I asked what he thought and he said oh it's OK. OK ! it's one of my best miniature roses it is always in Bloom and just super healthy

And lucky me now I have peppermint kisses and Gigi isn't life sweet.

Maybe I should try Alakazam. It is a pretty cool looking rose

Richard may have said Peppermint Kisses is "OK", because it doesn't have show form, but as far as a garden rose, it is a real producer, even in hot weather. It is very cheerful. The indoor photo is the most accurate color.

That makes sense. But it is such a prolific bloomer and such a pretty little bush

I'm glad you are enjoying it! I'm sure you would like Alakazam. The deep red next to the yellow is amazing.

My first Alakazam bloom - it's beautiful!

Not to be confused with Abracadabra

My sister asked what the difference was - they're so similar. I told her Alakazam is yellow with red stripes, Abracadabra is red with yellow stripes. But at this point I only know which one is which because of their size and which container they're in.

And don't confuse either one with Memphis Music :-)

Laura - wow, wow and ... wow!

My Memphis music is really taking off and putting out lots of great full foliage and new growth

My phone is not quite picking up what a dark red she is

Is For love of Roses out of business? I've tried calling and emailing with no luck. I badly want the Alacazam and a few others too.

I read the sad tale here, but yes. Even if you can order, the poster said do not as you won't get the roses or your money back.

hiyamakki, I agree with Vaporvac. Helen

Vaporvac, What is the sad tale?

I'll see if I can find the thread. I don't like to bad mouth people or companies without knowing the entire back story, but rather protect people from losing their money. I think he just got over his head, but made the wrong choice to not return money, at least at the point of the last post about it. It's a shame because reputation is easily lost, but hard to regain. and FLofR had a special place in the rose business.

Has something happened to the business?

Apparently, it is no longer a going concern. For a while one could still order a rose and pay for it, but would never get the rose or have the money returned.

Thank you for info.

What a shame! So many beauties on there I have never seen anywhere else.

Apparently you might get your rose, so you could take your chances.

There are still so many that I would love to have.

Unfortunately if you look at the website, you have to click on the Shop link before you see a rose product called "COVID 19 Update". If you click on that product, it's only then that it's mentioned:

" We have suspended shipping due to Covid 19. All individuals associated with FLOR have age and pre-existing conditions which puts them in jeopardy of contracting the virus. We will advise when shipping resumes. Until then we request that NO rose orders be placed on line. ". Link

I would have hoped that was plastered all over the website, or at the very least as a banner on the Home and the Shop pages to help prevent orders being made. I have Abracadabra bookmarked to check the status every so often because I'm still waiting on my 2 year old (paid for) order, and I wouldn't have seen it unless I started poking around on other pages.

Be careful! :-)

Thanks for the info. I was justnow at the website (have never used it, previously) looking for the Alakazam rose. I thought they were closed down because at the bottom of every page says "copyright 2012-2017". The Alakazam page says "will begin shipping Jun 2019". Both indicated to me the website was years-dead (I have emailed to inquire). But I see that it may be dead for different reasons. I have an Abracadabra and thought the Alakazam would make a fun reversal. However, I will tell you that today on eBay someone is selling a "Simsalabim" rose, that looks very much like Alakazam. They are also selling cuttings but having read your entire thread above on how an expert has trouble I would shy away from that option myself. Still, the Simsalabim is pretty darned pricey ($70 including shipping). I do not think I want the rose THAT much!

Here is an update on FLofR from the Hybridizers Forum. Someone else will be offering some of Bang's roses, but I can't recall who.