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pruning Golden Showers -Reply

Hi Judy.  You wrote:

I planted Golden Showers 2 summers ago
against a fence. As it grew, I
found the canes hard to flex, they seemed to
only want to grow upwards,
and resisted being tied laterally to the fence. 

I have this growing against a 4' chain link fence
and I would agree it does want to grow upward. 
I nearly wouldn't classify it as a climber. 
Maybe a tall leaner ;-)  Very stiff and short
(mine's about 7-8').

So now I have about 4
magnificent canes, about 8 feet high, with one
bloom on the end of each
cane. I am wondering if I should cut the canes
about half way down, and
obligate them into a horizontal position on the
fence. 

My plant produces flowers profusely and if you
let them go after mid-summer, great hips.  It
might just be a maturity issue.  I don't think it
would hurt anything to do as you propose.

These canes have
already been defoliated by fungus problems this
summer. 

Mine does get some of this too, but nothing
serious.  Have you tried the baking
soda/water/soap stuff?

I have never quite
figured out how and when to prune climbers in
general. I am wondering if
the plant will respond well to this treatment at
this point in the
season, or if I should wait until spring for this
procedure. 

I try to prune back to good foliage whenever I
deadhead.  Mostly I prune out old/wayward
canes in early spring, but they say the best time
to prune is when you have time!  As long as
you don't take more than 1/3 it shouldn't go
into shock or anything.

I have one plant, Mdm. Isaac Perrier that I
LOVE, but is wretched with black spot in spring
here in my wet climate.  I literally defoliate her
after first flush, water, fertilize, and she springs
back with all new foliage that stays clean the
rest of the season with spectacular flowers,
especially in fall.

Have you been fertilizing?

Climbers can take 2-3 to even bloom, let alone
get established.

Hope this helps!
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