Question
Hi Lynnette,I know you must be tired of questions about Knockout roses but I need to know this one .I know these are grafted roses,and I have green shoots coming up from the lowest areas.We call these suckers or wildshoots.Are these shoots from the climbing graft? I have been snapping them off because I thought I needed to stop them from taking over but someone else told me I was cutting the knockouts back.They grow really fast and if left I believe they will takeover.And yes here in N.C.I do have black spot,although everyone told me knockouts dont get it!

Answer
When a rose is budded onto Dr. Huey in the States, there is a bump where the two roses are joined. If the new long canes are coming from below that bump, then they need to be yanked off as they are suckers. But if they are growing from above the knob, then they are part of the rose.
Suckers grow very fast but if you have been kind to your Knock Outs then they too can shoot up fast.
I know the ads about the Knock Out roses tell you they are disease free but if conditions are right, they too will get the rose diseases.