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Climbing rose arch training

a_good_brewa_good_brew Posts: 46
in Tools and techniques
Hi
I have a metal rose arch and in february I planted two of "the generous gardener" roses - one at each side of the arch.
The roses have each sent up 5-10 flowering shoots and now are sending up larger main stems.
How should I train and tie the flowering stems and the main stems to the arch so that I can have flowers all the way from the base of the arch to the top in a few years' time? 
I was wondering if I should bend the main stem in an s-shape all the way up the sides, or let it grow straight up, or cut the top off so it branches low down and then let those multiple main stems go straight up?

I've attached a photo - it shows the base of the arch, the main stem and some flowering shoots.

Any tips would be useful!


Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    It looks good. I would let the main shoot on each side climb up and meet in the middle of the arch, where they can be tied down. The flowering shoots can be pruned next spring, perhaps restricting the number to 4 or 5 each side. Other posters may have more advice.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Google Paul Zimmermans videos on training roses ... they are the clearest and most straightforward demonstrations I've ever seen.  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Valley GardenerValley Gardener Posts: 2,851
    Thank you for that info Dove,I've been wondering how to proceed with mine! So far just loosely tied with that brown soft string,as didn't want to do anything too permanent yet.
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
  • Valley GardenerValley Gardener Posts: 2,851
    Just had a look at it, brilliant,he makes it so understandable.
    The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Valley Gardener said:
    Just had a look at it, brilliant,he makes it so understandable.
    Doesn't he just  :) 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    yes indeed. My roses are looking so much happier now as a result of watching vids last autumn. 'Proper' ish training and pruning has helped them thrive.
  • IamweedyIamweedy Posts: 1,364
    That looks more or less what I am doing with my Graham Thomas rose. I have laid new shoots horizontally.
    I had to start training mine up again with a new smart arch when  the cheap old one  finally collapsed at Christmas.
    I will look at Paul Zimmermans videos. All advice welcome.



    'You must have some bread with it me duck!'

  • a_good_brewa_good_brew Posts: 46
    Hi everyone. Thanks very much for the replies. Dovefromabove - I watched the Paul Zimmermans videos and thought they were great.  Thanks for the tip!  I'll let you know how it grows!
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