Gardeners’ Forum: “Climbing rose question”
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Posted by storm1974 on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 4:46 PM ADTTwo years ago I bought myself a climbing red rose (Blaze) from the local nursery. It’s hardy to my area. At the time, that was pretty much all I knew about roses – well climbers anyways. At the end of the year, after it grew and bloomed for the summer, I cut it down like the rest of my roses. Last year, it grew like crazy. The ‘canes’ grew and grew and grew but I didn’t get one single bloom. Then I read somewhere that you need to let it get established for a couple of years before you prune it back. A little info that came a little too late. Anyhow, it did grow like crazy and I protected it as best I could over the winter. It’s is entwined over my front porch. This spring the branches are bare and brittle… I don’t see any new growth coming from the old branches however I do see new growth coming from the base of the plant. Can anyone give me some guidance on what to do with this plant? I’m afraid to touch it for fear it won’t give me any blooms this year. Should I be cutting off the dry brittle branches like I do my other roses or do I just let it go? Also, can someone explain to me the idea behind bending the branches downwards to get more blooms? Thanks for your help,
