What is this 3 year rule you speak of?

Own root roses supposedly take three years to get going. Some climbers are notoriously strict when it comes to this rule, not blooming until they are about three years old, then supposedly blooming a lot. This one, however, is grafted and on fortuniana, not sure if it really needs the three years to get going. Its about a year and a half now so we'll see.

My Eden rose is like this (own root) now going on its third year and as of yet has had maybe 3 blooms. I'm being very patient with it because everyone says it's worth the wait and its a good rose for the south but its driving me crazy.

Oh thank you Old Rosarian. You really sound like you know where I'm coming from. Some people have suggested that some of these climbers need to be a little stressed in order to bloom and that theory fits perfectly into your explanation of them getting "too comfortable". I was afraid that if I pruned it at all it would keep it from actually blooming, but I got to the point where its not blooming anyway so maybe if I cut it back a bit it will stimulate it to bloom. I will do what you suggest this weekend and hope for the best. We are having somewhat cooler temps this month so maybe when the temps rise again in the next few weeks it will give it the boost it needs to get blooming! If not, I'm replacing it with Nahema who's a happy bloomer. I just feel like I've waited this long, its got to bloom!

Sounds like sage advice there. Climber or not I always look out for terminal canes and cut them back. Have you tried a fertilizer specified for blooming?

Yes, I always use bloom booster or rose specific fertilizers for this reason. I'll let you guys know how it works out.

One thing with climbers, keep the old wood off. Now some of the old climbers bloom on one year old wood. Then the newer climbers bloom on new wood So with that being said, to keep it away from the neighbors just cut it back. You won't hurt the bush. Never remove more than 1/3 of the bush

Thanks Dan, point taken.

If you decide to get rid of it. I would love to have it. I'll pay your shipping, of course.

I had the same problem with my MIP in its first year - gigantic growths and little flowers. Be patient and tie all the canes horizontally in winter and you'll be rewarded by massive flower display in Spring. :) I am in zone 10 too and my roses are on fortuniana too.

Wow that is lovely!

I did give it a bit of a hair cut. Hopefully it wont suffer too badly. I think it will bounce right back however as its such a vigorous grower. I hope it gets going this spring. :)