I pruned mine every spring but not hard.

I trimmed back laterals mostly.

When I moved, I pruned hard then waited a few weeks before digging her up to help prevent shock. She had already started growing again before I dug her up but we had to root prune severely to get her into a pot to move her.

Then she declined quickly and died at the new place :( I believe it was the severe root pruning that did it and maybe getting jostled around during the move etc

I quickly replaced her and have the new MAC growing by the barn where she can be as wild as she wants to be.

If you move yours, try to get as much of the root as possible lol.

Thank you Sultry. I am sorry to hear you lost your MAC, but I am glad the replacement seems to be doing well. I originally planted this one hopping to get her to climb to my se pibe story balcony. After 3 years of not growing much I would be happy with just a large bush in this area. I know if I would have planted Mel’s heritage here I would already have a gorgeous bloom covered balcony, but also wondered if it will me next year that it will “leap” for me. It seems to grow big enough for I want for most people. It also isn’t cane loss during the winter, because I haven’t had any die back. Your comment about losing the plant after transplanting is worrisome, she may be one of those who don’t like being moved. I cant wait to see yours next spring

If its not having any cane loss,I bet she just needs a bit more time and possibly a little more sun in you climate. I bet she will go crazy by next year. All your roses are always so healthy and gorgeous! My large MAC had roots 20 ft long.

My old property (4acres) had some sandy spots, some heavy clay spots and some rich soil spots lol. In the parts with a lot of sand, mainly around the house, had roses that would snake their roots up higher to the ground and just spread out, (kinda like some Live Oaks do) Probably to get more of the heavy summer rain and organic matter I piled there every spring.

I grow over thirty different climbing roses/ramblers. I've lost count, lol.

The first thing I noticed is that the MAC in your photo isn't supported. Any climbing rose left to its own devices without something to rest on/lean against will tend to be more self supporting, rather than sending out longer canes. *Eventually* genetics will win out and longer canes will appear, but right now your rose is "thinking" that it needs to be stout and short to avoid being flung about by wind. Even non-climbers will tend to grow taller when given support (i.e. so many Austins sold as both shrubs and climbers. They're the exact same rose). Your MAC looks quite robust, but if you want long canes you need to get a trellis, poles or fence under her so she can show her stuff. It took mine (lost to a polar vortex several years ago) at least three years to reach the lower limbs of a cedar tree, then it took less than another three years before it reached the top of that 25' tree.

Another thought: what are you going to do with 20' canes if they DO appear? You need something to control her, no matter how much space you have for her to grow in. You don't want canes randomly flopping about. And it looks as if the one in the photo is fairly close to the corner of the house. If it's near a path or walkway, you're going to have to trellis or move it eventually, if not now. But if you're hoping for it to cover that corner, it looks to be too far from the building to reach on its own.

Another thing to mention is that ALL climbers are heavy feeders, even for a rose. It takes a huge amount of resources to grow those canes, so feed them heavily, with a heaping dose of organic matter as dessert. I can't stress that enough. Organic matter (compost especially, but mulch, too) not only aids in the uptake of nutrients from the native soil, it contributes to the overall health of the plant. FEED your MAC and she'll love you :)

@fig_insanity Z7b E TN
edited my post to not have so many pictures.

Thank you Fig. Here is my area from a different angle. She is planted on that red line. My original idea was to have it come up and train it along the entire upper railing (probably 40 feet or so) there is also a metal roof to the right side that doesn’t show on the picture (probably another 15 feet or so). Since it didn’t start throwing long canes I thought maybe I should let it because I hint bush right where it is (we removed the stairs on the right and removed all access to that area)

I will add a trellis in order to encourage her to climb and feed her heavily next year. Thank you soo much for all the feedback.

I would love if she got big enough to also cover that roof. I hope that’s enough space if she ever decides to grow.

Full area.

First, let me say I love, love, love the views from your house. I bet you get good cooling breezes off of the water, too.

I remember you showing those photos back when you first asked about MAC. I commented on that thread, too, lol. I still think MAC will do the job, but yes, you're going to have to give her something to guide her to the post, and LOTS of nourishment. Once she reaches the post, I think she will take off. I'm not sure I'd split her efforts in two directions (to cover the other roof), but that will ultimately depend on her amount growth.

Here's wishing you and the Madame the best of luck and good fortune.