Question
I live in so. California. I got my long stem rose from some one that was digging it up and getting rid of it. It is growing fine but will not stay up long enough for the buds to open. Should I tie it up?

Answer
When you dig up a rose that is growing, you can't help damaging the frail feeder roots. These roots are very important as they take up the water and nutrients from the soil. Because they have been broken off and damaged, you have to do the work for them such as watering daily and making sure they never dry out. Also the the rose bush is too big for them to keep alive. Right now I would cut it back to 12 inches. This means you will have to wait until it puts out enough new growth to flower but it will, it just takes time. Cutting it back may seem drastic but it will save the rose for you. If you leave it as is, as you can see it hasn't the strength to even keep the canes up.In time it will die as right now it is living off the nutrients in the leaves and canes. Once that is gone so is the rose. You are not doing anything wrong, the rose is simply to weak to take up enough water. After cutting it back, sprinkle a handful of any type of rose fertilizer all around the base. The most important thing you can do to keep it alive is to water it daily and keep the soil damp but not wet.Hope this helps.