Old Climber Renovation

Discussion in 'Roses' started by newbiemud, Sep 22, 2021.

  1. newbiemud

    newbiemud Apprentice Gardener

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    Hi, I'm new to the forum and would very much welcome some advice regarding how much I can tackle this winter vs gradual renovation. The rose in question is at least 15 years old, (could be more as it was here when we bought). It has become extremely top heavy but bare (old) at the base and has grown past the wall and the trellis above the wall is ruined by the weight. I think I need to reduce it and try and establish some new laterals rather than it reaching for the sky (again) next year.

    My question is, can I reduce the whole height/width by 30%-50% in one winter or is that too severe on the lovely old rose?

    many thanks!

    p.s. rightly or wrongly I started a gentle 'tidy up' prune - this years new climbing shoots must have been another 10 feet higher than the top of the picture is but all vertical

    Rose2.jpg
     
  2. Sheal

    Sheal Total Gardener

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    Welcome Newbiemud. :) What is the over all height at the moment and could we have a picture of the whole rose please?
     
  3. Black Dog

    Black Dog Gardener of useful things

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    Since I don't know the rose type and your climate, take this post with a big grain of salt. I am by no means a decade-longe expert and can only rely on personal experience.

    Since the rose will always try to regrow as much on the top as possible, you probably won't have any choice other than giving it a low cut to get more green at the bottom. This is WHAT I PERSONALLY would do:
    Rose2~2.jpg

    Looks dramatic, but otherwise it will always grow at the top when you want new shoots at the bottom.
    I would wait until the worst of winter is over, take a clear, dry and cool (not freezing) spring day before the rose starts to make new shoots and give it a good pruning alongside the marked areas. Make sure it doesn't rain for a week or so so it can heal well and prune above some "eyes" that mostly mark the spot where it will make the new shoots (can't clearly see in the picture).
     
  4. newbiemud

    newbiemud Apprentice Gardener

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    Wow, ok, looks like I am being over cautious then. I was thinking of lopping everything just below wall height (where the highest blue cut is above) - it seems that's insufficient.

    I'm unsure of the rose variety, sorry, it is 7ft tall and 9 ft wide & lives in a damp part of north west England.
     
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    • wiseowl

      wiseowl FRIENDLY ADMIN Staff Member

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      This is not to say our friend @Black Dog is wrong he isn't but all Rosarians have there own ways of working there's no hard and fast rules with Roses each to there own ;):smile:

      Good afternoon @newbiemud have you the information of when the Rose flowers
      Climbers and Ramblers they can look pretty similar, but there is a crucial difference between them – climbers flower on new growth, and ramblers on last year’s shoots.
      Leave a climber unpruned and the flowers will get further up the wall, fence or tree it is attached to, and the bare stems that do not carry flowers will get longer.
      But leave a rambler unpruned and, by and large, it will be smothered with flowers.

      If you prune a climber hard , the resulting new shoots will bear blooms all along their length in the summer; but cut a rambler back and the new growth that appears in spring will not have a single flower.:smile:

      @newbiemud my friend you are not being over cautious If it were my Rose I would respectfully suggest pruning it by one half to begin with its a beautiful Rose and has been well cared for and then I would then watch and prune as it grows that way you will be in control of the direction that all the canes grow:smile:
       
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      • newbiemud

        newbiemud Apprentice Gardener

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        Thank you @wiseowl and @Black Dog.

        It's definitely a climber then, the flowers are right at the tip of this years growth about 15+ft - where they can't be enjoyed & nothing lateral. My rambler (pic attached) is different - more of a beast that needs taming! (It does need some tlc too)

        I am nervous about this rose as it has a lovely shape and was obviously well trained. I have tried to care for it but... finally I had to admit I was getting it wrong. A friend encouraged me to be harsh and reap the reward, your advice has reassured me.

        Ok, my winter focus will be the roses.. wish me luck :)
         

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        • newbiemud

          newbiemud Apprentice Gardener

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          & thank you very much for being the 1st person to reply! Don't suppose you know about Wisteria too? #joking :smile:
           
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          • Sheal

            Sheal Total Gardener

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            You're welcome newbiemud. :) Sorry, I know absolutely nothing about Wisteria and not as much as I'd like about climbing and rambling roses, I've always grown shrub roses.

            @wiseowl has spent most of his life working with roses and is GC's resident rosarian so you can trust his judgement. :)
             
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