'Blind' stems on Moss rose 'William Lobb'

Sue Deacon

Does anyone have any experience of 'blind' stems appearing on shrub roses? These are not suckers from the root-stock. They are growing on the same branches as ones that have flowered.

They are growing vigorously, but the leaves are paler than the others and DO LOOK like suckers. I don't understand what's going on. Confused

Greengage · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 3:53 pm Post subject:

William Lobb is an old Moss rose generally flower on older wood and should be allowed to develop naturally, It should be pruned in llate summer after flowering.Remove the three Ds (Dead, Decayed, and Diseased wood) Avoid a build up of older unproductive wood, if it becomes leggy remove some older stems from the base,So why did you stem not flower could be older wood not pruned at right time its unlikly to be a sucker as it is not grafted.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/98627/Rose-William-Lobb/Details

Sue Deacon · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 5:53 pm Post subject:

I never thought of that, dur! It's obvious when you think about it. All the flowers were on old wood and it was it's first full year in the garden. Feel such a numpty. Rolling Eyes

It's just that it flowered then sent out so MUCH new growth and all the others roses I have in that garden are repeat flowering. I have trimmed those stems back by half because of wind-rock. We'll have to see what happens.

Thanks for solving that Greengage. Very Happy

tagwex · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 7:27 pm Post subject:

Dam. Just what I was going to say. He beat me too it.

Greengage · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 7:32 am Post subject:

Did you know that he was a plant collector for the Veitchs (Think thats right) he was also responsible for the introduction of the Monkey puzzle tree and the Wellingtonia and Berberis darwinii all of which are still grown today ion gardens.

tagwex · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 11:15 am Post subject:

Way back in the early 80's my father planted a monkey puzzle/Chilean pine in the front garden. It was only about a foot tall. Now it must be close to 40'. Anyway, we had an elderly neighbour who must have been in his 80's at the time who used to regularly mix up his words. "I see you have planted a puzzle the monkey tree" he said to my father. It stuck and it has never been called anything else since.

Sue Deacon · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 7:35 pm Post subject:

Good guy · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 10:28 pm Post subject:

Smothering R Ponticum? Now there's an idea!

Ado 2 · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 11:11 pm Post subject:

I planted the tropaeolumn a few years ago it never took I would t mind trying it again ,can you take cuttings ?

Ado 2 · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2016 11:13 pm Post subject:

I planted the tropaeolumn a few years ago it never took I would t mind trying it again ,can you take cuttings ?

Sue Deacon · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 9:21 am Post subject:

tagwex · Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2016 10:41 am Post subject:

I see what you mean now.