I have a number of seeds from 2001-2003 that were lost in a move but were found last fall.  They have been stratifying in the fridge since mid December.  Yesterday I found germination from some of the 'L83' seeds.  'L83' is an important rose developed by Felicitas Svejda in Canada that has proved very successful in breeding winter hardiness and blackspot resistance with repeat bloom.  'L83' resulted from a cross of R. kordesii x G49.  Both R. kordesii and G49 are tetraploid seedlings from the triploid rugosa hybrid 'Max Graf', which is very reluctant to set seed.

I'm excited that seeds 4 or more years old have germinated and I'm also excited to have some seedlings of 'L83' to work with in the future.  Hopefully there won't be a damp-off problem and the seedlings will mature over the spring.