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Climbing rose cane damage.
simon.lowe
Posts: 2
in Plants
Hello I'm new here. I have a 1yr old Madame Alfred Carriere climbing rose which has reached a height of 2mtr and still growing however it has developed openings/wounds in the canes at the base. The foliage above look healthy though. Is this something I should be worried about. Do I just leave it as it is? Thanks in advance.
0
Posts
It looks to me like it's healing OK by itself so I would just make sure the upper canes are tied in to their supports to stop them being blown about in strong winds and causing root rock. Give the base of the plant a generous drink and then mulch thickly with some well-rotted manure.
Next spring, remove any dead, broken or frozen bits up top and feed the base with a generous dollop of pelleted chicken manure and another mulch of well-rotted manure. This will both feed the roots and retain moisture. Do this mulching every year in autumn and spring to keep your rose growing healthily.
Keep an eye out for saw flies. Sometimes they lay their eggs on the stems and that causes the bursting appearance when they hatch. The larvae will quickly strip the foliage so pick them off the minute you see them. Another problem roses get is aphids but don't spray. Hoverflies and ladybirds and their larvae will quickly hoover them up, as will tits and sparrow who feed them to their young in teh nest. Hang some fat balls or peanut feeders nearby to encourage birds to your garden.
Thank you for your reply Obelixx! I will do as you suggest.