I find that properly cared for--even weak HTs like Burning Desire on Dr. Huey will live at least 15 years--mine is still doing OK. Luckily I tore off the Dr. Huey sucker before it took over the plant--even though it was the only rose I had that suckered while the scion was still alive. I suspect my plant has some virus that darkens the leaves. I've seen similar coloration on HT exhibits at rose shows.

I see sunburn equally on grafted and own-root, depending on how much unprotected cane is exposed to the searing rays of the desert sun. When it's hot, it's hot.

I agree with the assessment of Moroseaz, who is likely as close as it gets to being your rose growing counterpart. One thing you might want to consider, is when possible, purchase one to two gallon own root plants, if you are not already doing so. Outside of that, I have found that bands need to be babied in 1-2 gallon pots, to allow for some maturity, which is easy peazy, almost ideal, any time of the year, except for summertime.

I've had canker on two occasions with own root plants. I still prefer own root vs. grafted, because I don't want to deal with suckers. I plant in mid-October so the plants have a chance to put on enough growth before facing summer. They need as many leaves as possible to shade their canes.

I bought all my roses this spring (impulse purchase) and some of them were bought too late to deal with our summer as I can see now... both kinds were 1 gallon plants... Some are getting significantly bigger than others... even own-roots... I have Savannah own-root 1 gallon... Now it almost naked and I didn't see sunburn on it at all... I'm covering it now well from this sun... Decided that the lack of direct sun at this point is better than killing it... but have all 4 grafted that got either sunburn or canker at some point... Well, that is my short experience so far :) I want to add couple of climbers and started thinking what to choose, grafted or own-root for them... since I'm pretty sure that I will have my tries and learn curves with burning legs of climbers... want to be wise this time :) Thank you that you took your time to share your experience!

I think most climbing roses are vigorous enough on their own roots. I have one out of my six that is grafted. Good luck! I hope your rose babies do okay. Giving them some partial sun or afternoon shade relief in your hot zone is a good idea.

Just because you live in Florida doesn't mean that you can't grow own root roses. I grow almost exclusively own roots and nematodes are not a problem for me. I think that the whole Florida and nematode thing is over sold. All truly old roses that I have seen, 50 years or more, have been on their own roots.