On 15/10/2014 21:55, Vir Campestris wrote:
On 15/10/2014 15:08, Spider wrote:

I think you've done well for the time being. You could have taken out
more wood, but you can always do that in spring when you see the new
growth developing. To be totally honest, I would have completely
removed the oldest branch on the right but, again, you can make a
decision about that in spring.

The rose obviously hasn't been pruned in years, so a severe cut-back now
might have been too much of a shock to its system. In future years, and
with a bit more experience, you'll probably be confident enough to cut
back further, but it's fine for now.

It would be a good idea to remove those few dead leaves and other debris
from under the rose. These will almost certainly be carrying Black Spot
spores (and perhaps rose rust as well), which can reinfect the shrub.
Perhaps now, but certainly in spring, use a rose fungicide spray in
February/March to completely wash down the rose. This should prevent
those same spores (which will be 'resting' over winter on the stems)
from reinfecting the new growth.

We've got to do some sever pruning too. But I thought we were supposed
to wait until January?

Andy


There are two main times when roses are pruned - apart from high season
deadheading and routine shaping, of course. One is about now, reducing
height especially to reduce wind rock over the winter months, but also
some shaping and removal of diseased and dead wood. For standard roses,
checking the stake is still fit for purpose is a good idea.

The second time is in spring, when the rose can be cut back to prominent
outward-facing buds, which will grow away and become that summers'
flowering wood.

Not all roses need pruning as heavily as others, or even in the same
way. A good basic guide can be found in The Rose Expert by Dr. Hessayon
or, if you're pruning more woody plants than just roses, you may wish to
invest in the RHS Pruning and Training guide, published by Dorling
Kindersley.

To prune in January, would be to risk your cuts being exposed to frost,
which may result in die back.

--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay