Forum home Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Rose Arch Collapsed

My (cheap metal!) rose arch collapsed in the recent gales. I want to replace it with a new stronger wooden one but may need to wait a few weeks before I can afford one. What should I do the with the climbing rose that is still attached to the broken arch? Obviously I need to take it off so I can remove the (now dangerous) arch. Should I cut it right down or lay the branches on the ground temporarily? I don't mind if I have to sacrifice next years flowers, I just want to save my rose. It is New Dawn and was planted in November 2013. It had reached to the top of the arch. All advice welcome!

Posts

  • cut the rose back to knee high just above a leaf joint and it'll come back next year no problems, just don't expect many flowers next year.

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,032

    I agree, best to hard prune it, then it won't get wind rock and it will be easier when you want to erect the new arch and re-train it. It will grow again. Better for it to happen now than in summer.

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • That's what I thought I would need to do, thanks. There are 8 strong stems growing, 5 older wood and 3 new. I don't really want it to produce any more. Should I cut each one to the same length or should I cut a couple back to the base?

     

  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,032

    You could cut back a couple of the oldest stems, 8 is a good number.

    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Ok, many thanks to all.

Sign In or Register to comment.