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How to train climbing rose over arch?

CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
in Plants
Hi guys,

I planted a couple of roses either side of a metal arch but I'm unsure about how to train the stems. Obviously I want the whole arch to be covered in roses from top to bottom as much as possible. So
I wanted to know how to train the stems to achieve this?

If I do train the stems in a zig zag or wind them around the arch in a spiral then apparently this slows growth down in favour of it sending out lateral shoots which carry the flowers...Would this mean the stems may then not reach the top of the arch?

Or should I train some straight up to the top of the arch and then some in a zigzag?

Thanks
Craigh 
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Posts

  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Could we get a picture of the arch? Thanks
  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
    Fire said:
    Could we get a picture of the arch? Thanks
    This is not my garden but it's the exact same arch.

  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    edited May 2022
    Whether the canes reach the top depends how tall/vigorous your chosen climbers are, which roses did you choose?

    I think zig zagging (or very gentle serpentines if the canes are a bit stiff) up the outside and over the top would be better than spiralling around the vertical supports. If the canes are really stiff, you might have to train them straight up, but you could prune and stagger ‘spare’ canes to get some more coverage lower down.

    You don’t really want any canes on the inside of the arch because those parts on the inside will be in shade and the laterals might struggle to find space and light to bloom. Plus, if you are planning to walk through it the effective width will reduce and you might be constantly snagged by thorns!

    Edited to say, Fire actually has beautiful climbing roses over arches so I defer to her superior knowledge, my climbers are all espaliered against walls, but I do have an arch in the planning 😊 
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • VoyagerxpVoyagerxp Posts: 651
    edited May 2022
    Will that arch be strong enough to hold roses, I have 2 James Galway roses on my wooden arch and the canes are getting thick and heavy after less than 3 years on my arch. I think that arch is more suited to clematis but i'm new at this myself and still learning how to train mine so someone with more experience may help.


  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Which roses have you chosen for the arch?
  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
    Fire said:
    Which roses have you chosen for the arch?

    Sorry for the late reply!
    The roses growing over it are the Alchymist from Peter Beales :smile:
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Beautiful rose! It’s an old Kordes rose. They do have a bit of a rep for stiff canes, so I checked it out for you, have a look at the comments on here, according to one poster it does have stiff canes that aren’t very trainable. It may not be possible to zig zag, maybe just a case of tying it in and gently bending over the top:

    https://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.115.5
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 758
    @Nollie Thank you for that. Well I will try my hardest to zigzag them but I will just be careful to not go too far with them. I will let you know how I get on with that.

    And @Voyagerxp I think your probably right the arch is a bit flimsey but I'm afraid it will have to do for now. But I suppose one day when I buy something stronger I can cut all the canes hard to the ground and start again. Hopefully! :)
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Nollie said:
    Fire actually has beautiful climbing roses over arches so I defer to her superior knowledge, my climbers are all espaliered against walls, but I do have an arch in the planning 😊 

    Lol - I have no superior knowledge in anything. But thanks.

    Alchymist is written up as coming in at 18ft, so it may turnout to be vigorous for your space. But most of us are growing in less than ideal circs.

    I grow climbing roses that are described as "stiff" in the canes, but they are fine to train if the growth is new. I'd say (from my limited experience) that most new rose growth seems to be pliable. I'd just caution to bend from the tips in. If you try and bend from the base, the canes are liable to break off.

    I'm currently having fun with arching canes to give more height. You may find that you can arch some growth, esp if the arch is near any kind of structure you can tie growth to.

    I have seen various arches wired together to make a deeper tunnel. That could be fun to add in a few years, if you have some budget for it - somewhere for longer canes to go.

  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Superior experience then for sure @Fire. That’s a good tip about bending from the tips I’ll remember that, plus starting training when the canes are young and more pliable.

    Look forward to the updates CraighB. Since every rose seems to grow differently depending on location, soil etc., it’s hard to know exactly how it will turn out, wonderful we hope!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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