In my experience this problem should go away as the bush gains strength. I have Generous Gardener which has growth much like WS 2000 and while most canes are vertical or close to it there are some which are close to the ground. OGR tea roses do much the same thing when young.

Lance

I'm still waiting for my WS to take off. It's been 3 years and it's still about 1 foot high. I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong. I have it in the 2nd row because I thought it would be a 6 footer. Most Austins get huge in my yard.

I have been curious about WS's growth habit because I am thinking of ordering him this spring. Buford, is your bush own root or grafted? I'm wondering if this makes a difference.

I have two right next to each other, both from Palatine, and while the one is 3' the other is only about a foot tall. I can't account for this disparity. On the plus side, the shorty doesn't look like something sat on it.

Thanks Lance. I hope it's just an awkward phase.

My WS2000, in its 3rd or 4th year (I forget which), is about 3.5 or 4 ft tall and about 5 ft wide--partly due to those top-heavy canes leaning over rather precariously at times. I use several strategically placed supports to keep the canes more upright, but even then, the canes still lean outward rather than upward. However, with supports, I don't need to worry about the canes nosediving for the ground every time it rains--so that works out pretty good.

Add supports so that you don't need to focus time and energy on WS2000--other than feeding, watering, and admiring!

Kate

I'm looking for a pink (any pink),smelly Austin with a taller habit. It will be in a hot, humid spot. Anyone here grow Alnwick?

So, Kate, can I assume you just use a typical stake and tie method?

Thanks.

Oddball grower is WS2K. Beautiful flowers, though. Grafted its become fairly large here, 4' tall 6' wide. Own root at 30"x30" its been slooooow.

rootygirl, you might want to start a new thread, and mention if you are willing to spray fungicide or not.

veryzer, I buy the green metal ones about 4 ft tall or so--with a small circle at the top (with a small opening so you can slip the cane in there). I place 3 or 4 near the outer edge of the plant to hold up 3 or 4 of the heaviest canes. The supports can be pushed down 1-2 ft depending on how high you need them.

If your plant is small and the canes kinda weak and wimpy, I might just get a small green metal fence to wrap around the bottom of the plant, placed 6 inches or so out from the base. The weak canes can "rest" on the little metal fence that way.

Hope that helps.

Kate

Rootygirl, mine is own root from Chamblees. But I have a few others that I received in the same order that are full size. I'm sure it's the right rose, the blooms are incredible. I just wish it was larger.

My ownroot from RU is the normal 4 x 5', so I don't think it needs grafting. I cut the canes back a couple of feet after blooming and stake the occasional flopper. Love the fragrance and strong repeat.

Thanks, buford. Sorry, I did not mean to highjack the thread and switch topics; I'm afraid I get a little excited!

Michael,

I don't know much but that sounds like a pretty significant pruning. Is that specifically to keep the bush from flopping? Did you by trial-and-error find a threshold whereby the canes could no longer support the flowers?

Thanks.