Sequoia Nursery has been the home of Ralph Moore for more than 60 years.
Ralph S. Moore, of Visalia, was one of eleven Award of Distinction receipients honored at the University of California, Davis by the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences in October, 1998.
Mr. Moore, know as "Mr. Miniature," has developed and named more than 350 varieties of plants, 90 of them miniature roses. He's been naming the flowers he creates after people, places and events since 1921 when he was a 14-year-old sophomore in high school. Today, at age 91, he lives next door to his nursery and can be found seven days a week in his greenhouse, breeding and developing new miniature roses and other flowers.
Sixty-one years ago, Mr. Moore established Sequoia Nursery in Visalia, then a sleepy hamlet just south of Fresno. His grandfather is credited with teaching him the art of propagation from cuttings rather than via the traditional budding techniques.
This habit caused Moore to search for breeding stock that would impact more hardy, disease-resistant characteristics, as well as be easily propagated from cuttings. His first efforts at hybridizing were in 1929. In 1935, he began experimenting with miniature roses.
The official registration files maintained by the American Rose Society list more than 300 miniature roses hybridized by Ralph Moore plus 15 floribundas, eight hybrid teas, nine shrubs, six ramblers, three polyanthus and seven old garden roses. Moore also patented an early blooming cherry and is experimenting with mildew-free Crepe Myrtles and lilacs. On a stroll through Moore's greenhouses, one is apt to find most anything-including tomatoes, pineapples, eucalyptus or blueberries.
Mr. Moore is recognized as one of UC Davis' most distinguished alumni. The Award of Distinction is the highest recogniation presented by the college to individuals whose contributions and achievements enrich the image and reputation of the college and enhance its ability to provide public service. Mr. Moore is the oldest living member of the American Rose Society and the only living American who wears the prestigious Dean Hole Medal, the Royal National Rose Society of England's highest honor.
In September, 1998 Ralph Moore was awarded the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Conservation Medal. The criteria for this National award is:
The DAR Conservation Medal can be awarded to any person with a distinguished conservation record.
The candidate must be sponsored by a chapter or the state organization.
The candidate's activities must be documented by letters of recommendation, newspaper articles, magazine aarticles and lists of previous awards.
Outstanding educational work at the college, high school, or elementary level; distingushed teacher; major replannig efforts by an individual; wildlife and nature center work; resource management; youth leadership; medial work; and park establishments are just a few of the areas that qualify for this award.
The winner is chosen by the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution Conservation Committee.
Mr Moore was chosen for the Conservation Medal for his hybridizing of over 300 varieties of roses and his search for breeding stock that is more disease resistant and more easily propagated from cuttings.
Mr. Moore was also recognized by the International Plant Propagators Society(Western Region) at their conference held in Ontario, California in November. They presented Mr. Moore with the Curtis J. Alley Merit Award in recognition of his dedication and contribution to the society and to the nursery industry for his contributions to the science of propagation.
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©1997 Linda Burg