climbing / rambling rose

owd potter · February 2020

Is this a climber or a rambler as I'm not sure the difference between them.
How should I approach pruning & training this?
Cut it down low and then train the new growth along the fenceline?
Cheers
Owd.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/ee/fmwz0j44o5hd.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/qn/g0fzjaiozpy0.jpg

Obelixx · February 2020

Those stiff stems make me think it's a climber. Have a look at this info from the RHS - https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=189

I'd start by removing the thin twiggy stuff with the old hips on them and then any obvious diseased or damaged stems until you are left with a few strong stems you can try and bend or tie down almost horizontally. YOu may have to tie them down in stages so they don't snap at the first attempt.

Give it a good feed of slow release fertiliser and a mulch if you can and those stems should then produce shorter verticals which will produce flowers this year. Any new stems that come from lower down can be trained horizontally and then in years to come you can prune off the tops stems and thus keep the plant renewed and vigorous.

Marlorena · February 2020

hmmm... I can't really tell what's going on there without close ups... but from what I can see you've got two thick thorny climbing canes that look suspiciously like R. canina - dog rose... and behind it the trunk of something else...
..what colour are the flowers? does it all look like the same plant to you?..

Obelixx · February 2020

I was talking about the thorny stems. We had a rosa canina that the birds sowed for us in a holly hedge. I loved it and let it stay. The stems were a lot greener and whippier than the ones in the pic.

owd potter · February 2020

Thanks @Obelixx, @Marlorena
I had not considered the possibility of it being 2 different plants.
I thought they may be sucker stems but 'll investigate further and come back.
Many thanks for your responses

owd potter · February 2020

It appears to be 1 plant, the 2 newer straighter stems seem to be from the base of the old one.
Not sure what close up would assist, new and old stems both seem to be producing the same hips.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/j9/qgq3huoykaay.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/13/wwrf236dmlah.jpg

Obelixx · February 2020

I think it's more likely a self sown ash or some such has grown in the same place as your rose. If so, it will out compete and grow far too big for the space. I would cut it out at the base and give the rose a chance to thrive.

owd potter · February 2020

Here's an old photo of this rose from June 2018, looks like the 2 newer stems have generated since then...

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/53/ah6ck56pmofc.jpg

Obelixx · February 2020

In that case, the very prickly stems seem likely to be suckers from the rootstock and need to be removed at the base. @Marlorena can perhaps confirm.

owd potter · February 2020

thanks @Obelixx. From my limited knowledge I think i'd agree with that, but i'll await Marlorena confirmation and then what to do with the older stem to get the best from it?
cheers

Obelixx · February 2020

Clean that one up as advised above. Start with the 3 Ds - dead, damaged or diseased stems come off as priority and then weak spindly ones. Then check shape for any more and feed it generously.

climbing / rambling rose

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