Why do roses droop like this?

Discussion in 'Roses' started by groundbeetle, May 25, 2023.

  1. groundbeetle

    groundbeetle Gardener

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    I have long struggled to avoid roses that have stems too weak to hold the roses up properly. I have googled it often, and it seems some people think it is ok.

    Beautiful roses, but what is the point of them drooping? (These roses are not mine, I just thought they were a good example of what I mean.


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  2. infradig

    infradig Total Gardener

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    I suspect its due to breeding of varieties to maximise the size of bloom without revising the engineering to hold their heads up proudly, when you consider the size/weight of a dog rose.
     
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    • groundbeetle

      groundbeetle Gardener

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      @infradig, that sounds probable. They are huge double flowers, that are beautiful, when you find a flower that isn't drooping yet. I try to avoid double flowered roses. Single and semi-double roses are better for bees and pollinators anyway, and less likely to droop.

      I did wonder for a while if the trick is to underplant them with something that supports them, but having found drooping roses so frustrating I just avoid big double flowered roses.

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        Last edited: May 25, 2023
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        I've never really noticed a rose doing that before other than after heavy rain.
         
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        • groundbeetle

          groundbeetle Gardener

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          I took the photograph two days ago, and it hasn't rained much for a couple of weeks.

          I have seen it a lot, it is very frustrating.
           
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            Last edited: May 25, 2023
          • wiseowl

            wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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            Good morning @groundbeetle my friend in my experience problems with weak or floppy stems are often caused by incorrect pruning (or lack of). ;)

            Yes you could prune a Rose with a chainsaw as many people have said and foolishly still say, its a sad state of affairs that most people to day really don't know the prime importance of pruning a Rose correctly can and will solve most problems:smile:


            Depending on the type of rose, pruning methods vary quite significantly. It's worth buying a book on roses or pruning or doing some research on how to tackle your varieties. There are a many varieties of rose but only a few 'types' i.e. tea roses, hybrid tea roses, patio roses, floribundas, climbers to name the most common ones.:smile:

            Weaker stems should be pruned off in early spring and if stems develop multiple buds at the head, some can be snipped off to prevent stems becoming droopy under the weight of the flowers. Less buds/competition for space = better individual flowers and less stress on stems.:smile:
             
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            • hans

              hans Gardener

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              Some of our roses had this and I put it down to too much vigorous growth due to my heavy handed use of fertilizer. I now feed spairingly and mulch to retain moisture which seems to have helped.
               
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              • Alisa

                Alisa Super Gardener

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                I think it depends on the variety. Many old roses will have so heavy flowers, that they'll look down from the weight.
                 
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                • Clare G

                  Clare G Super Gardener

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                  Absolutely, and I'll go further - with some varieties it's a deliberate design feature, rather than a fault! The Victorians loved 'nodding roses'; this is a nice article about them with some lovely photos. David Austin must have appreciated them too, quite a few of his varieties have nodding/ drooping/ tumbling blooms.
                   
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                  • Surfer

                    Surfer Gardener

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                    We have two rose bushes that droop. We always thought that perhaps we had been sold climbing roses instead of bush roses. We also thought that perhaps it was because we were pruning them incorrectly.

                    in the picture it is the one in front that is drooping. The rose behind it is of the Austin variety. Unfortunately it was never pruned last year in Oct and again in March. We normally do it every year, but due to issues did not do it this time around.

                    Anyway back to the drooping roses. Can we assume it is a proper rose bush as roses are not cheap to buy.



                    PS. Also can someone please give us a link to the best way to pruning roses as not sure if we are doing it right? Thanks.

                    Roses.jpg
                     
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                    • Michael Hewett

                      Michael Hewett Total Gardener

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                      I'm not a rose expert but it doesn't look to me as if there's anything wrong with it. It doesn't even look in need of watering.
                      Maybe it needs pruning, or more probably it could be a climber and need support.
                      Do you have its name ? That would help find some information about it.
                       
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                      • The Buddleja Garden

                        The Buddleja Garden Gardener

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                        The flowers don't look well supported by the stems. I would guess the growth is too sappy, which means you need less nitrogen in the feed, and more potassium to mature the wood in the stems.
                        I grow Buddlejas and not roses - so my advice comes with that caveat - I use potassium sulphate without any nitrogen if the plants look a little too lush. Potassium also encourages better flowering.
                         
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                        • wiseowl

                          wiseowl Admin Staff Member

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                          Hello @Surfer my friend (I am a Rose expert);)it is indeed a proper Rose and yes it is a little on the tall side at the moment but it is OK If I were you I would give it a tidy up in about Ocober (prune it down to the height that you want it removing any canes that are scruffy or crossing over each other,then give it a really good prune at the end of February/beginning of March, a Rose will only grow as tall as you want it to you are in control of your Rose,I have a Queen Elizabeth that grows to 6 ft but thats the way I like it to grow,
                          They are hardy enough to withstand our hot summers, and they enjoy our cool winters. Roses have one of the prettiest flowers around, and their fragrance is delightful.
                          During January and February, when roses are dormant, is the best time to prune and prepare them for spring blooming.
                          Why prune roses? You can leave your roses alone, and they will grow 5 to 6 feet high and will produce fewer and fewer blooms each year. If you prune your roses annually, removing half to two-thirds of their height, you encourage new cane growth and more blooms in spring. With pruning, blooms are also larger and have stronger stems.
                          Cutting away dead canes improves air circulation throughout the rose to decrease mildew, black spot and other fungal diseases caused by too much moisture. And, of course, pruning maintains the rose’s correct shape.I f you need any more assistance just ask ,enjoy your lovely Rose;):smile:

                          Link that you asked for How and When and Why to Prune Your Roses

                          Screenshot 2023-07-08 142129.jpg Screenshot 2023-07-08 142317.jpg
                           
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                          • Surfer

                            Surfer Gardener

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                            Sorry we bought it a few years ago so no idea of its name. I am referring to the rose bush in the foreground.

                            Can you please recommend a product brand or name to help strengthen the stems?

                            Thanks that is really helpful advice. This year we have had far fewer blooms than previous years. Unfortunately the rose in the background had blackspot which we will be treating with Rose clear ultra after we have stripped off the affected leaves and destroyed them. First time we have had blackspot on any of our roses. We will be treating our other roses which are all about 8 or more years old. Hopefully the new rose bushes in the rear garden will be unaffected.
                             
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                            • Michael Hewett

                              Michael Hewett Total Gardener

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                              Yes I know, so was I :smile:
                               
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