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Pruning climbing rose

Rachel41Rachel41 Posts: 7
Last year I bought two climbing roses to grow up obelisks in my garden. Following the David Austin guide to pruning them, I plan to do so soon. However it recommends you remove any remaining leaves. One of my roses (golden showers) doesn't have too many, but the other (Gertrude Jekyll) is in a sheltered spot and not only has all its summer leaves, it also seems to have done a lot of growing over winter, and has a mass of new growth, with leaves! Do I remove all leaves on this plant, or just the leaves on the old growth? Thank you, this is only my second year gardening so advice is appreciated!

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,142

    I think they mean you to remove last years leaves in order to prevent possible re-infection by blackspot.

    This winter has been so mild that many of last year's leaves haven't died back and new leaves for this year are already growing.

    I would only remove (and burn) any leaves that show signs of disease, like these ones

    image

     


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





  • Rachel41Rachel41 Posts: 7
    Thank you! That's really helpful!
  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    If you've got black spot Rachel remove all the leaves and burn them. If not you can leave them. The reason for it is the spores will hide in the leaf axils. Spray the whole plant stems and all and the ground around the base of the rose to give it the best chance.

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,503

    I have sprayed fungicide on my affected roses but was wondering if rain washes it off and does it matter?. It was dry for a few days after I sprayed.

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Rachel41Rachel41 Posts: 7
    I think the leaves are healthy. I will check but leave then if not. Thanks for the tips
  • Dave MorganDave Morgan Posts: 3,123

    B3 ,yes it will wash some of it off but the fungicides are contact based. They'll kill about 80% of fungal spores so you've got to repeat spray every few weeks in spring which gives the best chance of preventing infections. You continue during the summer months every 4 weeks.

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,503

    Thanks Dave

    In London. Keen but lazy.
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