I have Gertrude Jekyll on an obelisk, winded around. Nothing too sophisticated because she only had one longer can in winter when I did it. The objective is simply to keep it narrow, so everything sticking out gets tied in.
Here it is earlier this year.
The 1st flush
And now the 2nd flush (ignore the arch, it's there only temporarily, and the cat and the general mess... I wasn't planning showing this photo).
So far, I am happy with it. But I need to change the obelisk, I want a bigger one there. Not looking forward to that job.
On the other hand, I have this rose, La Belle Rouge (photos in June and 3 days ago). I have a wooden pyramid-style obelisk prepared for it. The plan is to paint it the same colour as my shed and the wooden planter above, add clematis Samaritan Jo and leave it to its own devices.
And I agree with Nollie, training on a fence or wall is easy. This is The Albrighton Rambler (today). I marked the 3 newest canes with the year of their appearance. You can see that the 2020 cane grew from the 2018 cane but it is a true climbing cane.
All very useful @Nollie and @edhelka . I am glad to see that last pic because my recent scary red canes are off the one at the beginning of the year that I bent down. so it is reassuring that they are proper canes to bend the other way when I pick up courage after @Mr. Vine Eye 's mishap.
I think for educational purposes you should film how to swap the GJ's obelisk @edhelka Ouch But you are right in that it is looking good, nice idea to have it next to the door for the scent>
@edhelka@Nollie Really helpful pictures and advice here, thanks. I am very tempted to cut and paste it, and send to DA telling them to get their guidance on climbers improved!
Thank you @Nollie and @edhelka for such a lot of great information and photos. I can understand the wall or fence training but at a loss still as how to do it over an arch. I have Alibaba on one and it just looks a mess, plus it shot out 2 massive canes this summer that have both produced flowers and are probably as high if not higher than the main plant. It doesn't help that the foliage just looks ravaged too. I'm unsure about where to tie in the new canes given it is such a narrow space.
I did however get a pot for my new climber. It's an elho 58cm x 49cm. I've planted my climber and have very loosely tied in the 2 canes just so they are going towards the wall. My plan when it's bigger is to criss cross the canes. The description says the canes are flexible and it is almost thornless so hopefully that will make things easier. Have I done the right thing?
@poppyfield64 Looks good! The criss-cross pattern is ideal and if the canes are flexible, it should be possible to do it.
The truth is, not all roses are good for an arch. I don' like the look of roses with too long laterals, sending octopus arms in all directions. Or roses with too stiff long canes.
One simple rule with arches is to train the canes on the outside only. No winding around if you can avoid it. Which is easier done on wider/deeper arches. If you want an arch with roses all around it on both sides, it needs a wider arch than the usual 120cm (something in the 150-180 range) and a rose with very flexible canes (rambler, ideally). But with most arches and most climbing roses, it's better to train on the outside only.
@poppyfield64 - I’ve found that criss crossing works well. I’ve not got an arch but this section of wall is very narrow, probably 45-50cm which is similar width to some arches.
Im planning on using this sort of growth pattern, although wider, on some other climbers in order to keep them within fairly narrow sections of wall or fence. This worked well with Malvern Hills because its canes are so flexible. This crisis cross was meant to start lower down but that’s just not the way it grew. I think I measured about 40 degrees between each fixing point.
It meant I got a good display all the way up. Forum is rotating this when it gets uploaded - the building didn’t collapse under weight of flowers!
Posts
Been busy digging out a shed and other non-rose related gardening things.
Did manage to snap a photo of pure poetry though
I did however get a pot for my new climber. It's an elho 58cm x 49cm. I've planted my climber and have very loosely tied in the 2 canes just so they are going towards the wall. My plan when it's bigger is to criss cross the canes. The description says the canes are flexible and it is almost thornless so hopefully that will make things easier. Have I done the right thing?
Im planning on using this sort of growth pattern, although wider, on some other climbers in order to keep them within fairly narrow sections of wall or fence. This worked well with Malvern Hills because its canes are so flexible. This crisis cross was meant to start lower down but that’s just not the way it grew. I think I measured about 40 degrees between each fixing point.
Here's some growth on my Generous Gardener cutting, that I hadn't intended doing! Looks promising will have to wait and see if it's successful or not.
My two Kew Gardens cuttings are looking more like real plants now. Trying their hardest to flower I'm having to remove buds constantly.