Sucker roots?

16 years ago

I have what appear to be sucker roots based on some descriptions I have read in this forum.

My question is should I cut them from the base or what?

I have three fortuniana potted roses Double Delight, Veterans Honor, and Fragrant Cloud] two of them have shoots coming from slightly under where the graft is, but above the soil level, maybe a inch above the soil. Initially I thought they were regular new shoots, but they are thin and stringy, and the leaves are more pointed and don't look like the regular rose branches and leaves. One is so thin I don't see how it would hold a flower.

Will these shoots produce any flowers? Should I cut it as close to the neck as possible? I'm thinking these sucker shoots are taking energy out of the plant and producing worthless non producing shoots...correct?

I also have black spot on the fragrant Cloud, any non chemical remedies for this? I mixed some vinegar 1tbsp. and water, with a few drops of dish soap a few days ago, nothing yet. Any advice appreciated, Thanks.

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Comments (8)

karl_bapst_rosenut
16 years ago
Pull the sucker off where it comes out of the root. Grasp it tightly close to the base and pull down. You want to remove all the sucker including a little of the area where it was attached. If it breaks off or you cut it off it can branch and grow more suckers.
Florida growers will have to respond to your blackspot spray. I don't know if there's an organic spray that will work there due to the blackspot pressure in your area.
buford
16 years ago
I have Fragrant Cloud and Double Delight and they both sucker a lot. The thin wispy canes are probably Dr. Huey, the rootstock. As karl says, just try to pull them off. If you cut them, they will grow back.

As far as blackspot, both of those roses get it very bad in my yard in Georgia. I spray regularly with the Bayer Advanced Disease control spray. I don't think vinegar will be effective in Florida. And organic method like copper may prevent black spot, but once the leaf has spots on it, it's a goner.
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karl_bapst_rosenut
16 years ago
Buford,
Dewyd stated these were Fortuniana rootstock so the suckers have to be Fortuniana suckers. They can't be Dr. Huey!
buford
16 years ago
oh, I didn't read that :) But I never under estimate The Dr's ability to sucker anywhere! Anyhow!
karl_bapst_rosenut
16 years ago
Yep, you may be right!
dewyd
Original Author
16 years ago
It took me several days to re-find this post. Had to google the first few words of my post to find it again, must be a site glitch?

At any rate I did what you guys suggested and I pulled those suckers off the rootstock. I then dabbed the open exposed areas with Elmer's wood glue to prevent infiltration of any insects, viruses, or infection, just to be safe.
Thanks, appreciate the input, Dewyd.
dewyd
Original Author
16 years ago
I am getting re-growth again from the same place I cut the sucker shoot on the Veterans Honor previously a couple of weeks ago. Do I just keep cutting it off if it keeps on re-growing?
buford
16 years ago
dewy, I get continuous suckers from the same place on many roses. I just keep pulling off or cutting them. You can't let the suckers grow, otherwise they can take over the plant. It's a pain, but it needs to be done.