my new last year climbing rose has grown a very long stem with only one tiny shoot at the side half way down and some leaves at the very top.
I'm thinking perhaps I should prune it right back to below the tiny side shoot, it's this a good idea?
I'm a rose novice!
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I would train the long stem as near to horizontal as possible. This slows down the sap and the long stem will then produce lots more side shoots, which are the ones that produce the blooms.
Last edited: 17 February 2017 17:42:38
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Oh! Thank you Dovefromabove, I never knew that, I will definitely do that.
Let us know how it goes. A photo of it covered in blooms in the summer would be good.
A scattering of a slow acting organic fertiliser such as Fish, Blood & Bone will be good.
Later in the season you may well find a new long shoot or two appearing from the base - train them towards the horizontal as well.
In a few years' time you can rejuvenate the plant by taking out the oldest stem or two - the newer ones will replace them.
Last edited: 17 February 2017 19:36:23
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.