Pruning A Climbing Rose

[Prudie]

All the base shoots on an established climbing rose are 2 or 3 feet worth of thick old wood. If I cut back into those will they shoot from that area again? If it wasn't for the new wood higher up you'd think it was dead.

[atalanta]

I did exactly that with a rose last autumn. It had been wonderful - bush rose - white - often had over a hundred blooms open at the same time, but it had got very scruffy and had lots of dead bits - so I thought - "it's kill or cure" and cut it right down from about 5ft to about 20" leaving one main trunk. It has produced a few small shoots, but I fear it will never return to its former glory. Alas, it is now for the Great Garden In The Sky.
I also have a climbing rose which refuses to shoot where I want it to, in spite of careful pruning. Lots of bits have died, lots of sideshoots have sprouted too low or too high. Even though I bought it from a very expensive rose-grower, having read all the promises about its growth-habits, which were rubbish. That rose, too, is for the GGITS very soon.

[jourdain2]

I'd like to know the answer to that, too, Prudie. My dad insisted that it was very hard to kill a rose - but I managed, so am now cautious.

[Prudie]

Thanks atalanta that doesn't bode well, think I might do the same as mine has got so straggly it looks a mess. I've never been good with roses. Jourdain I don't think I've killed one but none of mine are good plus I get loads of blackspot.

[jourdain2]

Isn't blackspot due to a polluted atmosphere, Prudie? Vague memories stirring, and something about soot. This is back to the industrial North in the 50's and 60's! Sorry no more use :(.

[Prudie]

I thought it was more of a fungus that thrives in warm wet conditions, I'm not sure but even though I spray I always get it.

[tonyav]

Some tips on how to cure / prevent Blackspot here.

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/roses/black-spot-roses.htm

[jourdain2]

Ta muchly, tonyav.