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New climbing rose

FireFire Posts: 19,096
in Problem solving
I put in a Pilgrim last year. I pruned back to four canes in the Feb. All four are the same height but two are looking strong and healthy and two are covered in black spot and have yellowing leaves, both looking very ill. I'm wondering about cutting back those two canes and invest the energy in the two strong ones. I'm not interested in getting flowers this year. I'm more interested in get the plant strongly established and starting to cover the arch they are for. Would you say it would be worth it?

Posts

  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    I would probably cut the two bad canes back by half and remove the infected leaves - i.e. defoliate those canes and allow them to grow back again fresh..

    A liquid feed using an acidic fertilizer such as for rhododendrons is beneficial with leafage problems on roses...

    You should certainly see, and look forward to, blooms on your 'The Pilgrim' this summer..
    East Anglia, England
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    I will try this. There was an ants' nest under the newly planted Pilgrim  last year. That is the place that is weak this year. At the time I flooded the area with water (as recommended on the forum) and the ants moved on. I then tried to check that there was not fresh air around the roots, left from the nest. Maybe I should have dug up the plant and replanted it...
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    by way of an update, I did what you advised and cut back the dodgy canes and they have regrown beautifully and are covered in flowers. It was good advice.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    Lovely.... this is supposed to be a really good rose... it's not in my collection so I shall have to enjoy it with you...
    East Anglia, England
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