How to Make Roses Climb
Climbing roses are selectively bred to produce long, pliant canes suited to growing on trellises or other structures. Strictly speaking, the canes of climbing roses do not climb but trail gracefully and require training and tying to achieve their characteristic look. It is best to begin training climbing roses soon after planting them when the canes are soft and malleable, however, older roses respond to training with proper pruning. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Anchor the trellis 2 to 4 inches from structures to allow for proper air circulation. The trellis must be at least twice the width of the immature rose bush.
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Plant the rose 2 to 4 inches in front of the center of the trellis. Water the rose thoroughly and allow it to become established for one week before attempting to train it.
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Tie the lower end of the canes to the bottom of the trellis with soft fabric ties. Hold the canes upright and attach them at 6-inch intervals along the trellis.
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Bend the canes when they grow halfway up the length of the trellis. Bend the outermost branches at a 45-degree angle toward the edge of the trellis. Create a fanlike shape with the remaining branches until the upper half of the trellis is covered. Tie the canes in place.
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Prune the climbing rose bush once a year in spring. Remove the ends of the canes to control growth and promote a bushier, more cascading shape. Cut the tips of the canes at an angle using sharp bypass pruners.
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Remove older, woodier canes with bypass pruners to encourage new grow. For older climbing roses, removing the woody canes prompts the production of new canes that can be trained against the trellis. Cut the canes 4 inches above the rootstock to ensure the roses will be true to form.
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Tips & Warnings
Sterilize the blades of the bypass pruners before trimming roses to avoid exposing the plant to pathogens and bacteria.
Wear gloves when working with rose bushes.
Do not use wire or sharp nylon ties on climbing roses.
