Hi All:
18 or so months ago I planted a climbing Don Juan bush and approx 5 weeks ago it produced 12 or so beautiful roses. Since then it has been growing limbs but no further blooms so I’m hoping you’ll chime in with some advice. The question is: when and how do I best trim/prune the bush in the hope of another round of blooms! I’m in Tampa (central Florida)…thank you very much !!
Hello! Welcome to the forum! Your rose is still quite young and still getting established. Growing flowers takes a lot of energy and you will need to fertilize to feed your rose. It takes time also from 1 bloom cycle to the next.
Your rose is a climber so will need to be attached to a strong support and the canes spread out to at least a 45 degree angle with the tips given so that laterals will form to give you flowers. If allowed to just grow up, the plant will grow one tose on the top of each stem. Remember to keep it well watered too!
Hi Akswantek, and thanks for your reply and advice. I’m clear on your recommendations to fertilize and water the bush but a little uncertain regarding the “trim or let be” part. Do I simply let it grow at this juncture or should I cut it back at all? Once again, thank you! Tony
Hi Tony. This u I a not the time to prune it all back. Tie up the long canes that you want to be the leaders at an angle. From the nodes you will get the “ lateral canes” where flowers will grow. You can cut just the tip of the long cane to encourage it. But yours is a very young rose so you want to encourage it to grow. If you Google Paul Zimmerman, he is on you tube and Facebook and he has videos on how to prune all sorts of roses - it is so much easier to see what to do rather than read about it
Akswantek - thanks tons for taking the time to share your expertise regarding my rose bush. I fully understand what you’ve said and will look up Paul Zimmerman as well.
