Is is too late to cut back a rose cane?

Question: Hello,
I have a volunteer mystery rose that appears to be some form of climber. It is so unwieldy, I am uncertain what to do with the 10' cane to prepare for winter. For the crown, I plan to mound dry leaves about 6" high, holding them in with a hot cap I made from a 5-gallon black container. I also thought I could put a jumbo tomato cage over it, cover that with burlap, and then stuff more leaves into the funnel. Please let me know if this sounds like a good plan or not. 

Meanwhile, regarding the cane, is it too late in the season for any cut to cure before winter? Right now the cane is pegged to a trellis. I don't think I can get it to lie down to the ground without snapping the cane, and the ground isn't clear to receive it, as it's in a small perennial bed. Should I tie the cane to the tomato cage, or simply prune it immediately, and if so, to what height now, and then again to what height in the spring? Please advise how to proceed. 

The entire plant is a mystery. I used to have a Westerland in that site, but it was so feeble I removed it several years ago, as I am in a condo and very limited for garden space. Last year a rose grew in that same area, but never bloomed, so I couldn't do an ID. That first year it grew in a shrub form about knee high. From the shape and leaflets it appears to be a cultivar and not R. multiflora. What else would grow with such vigor than a scrap of rootstock? Maybe it is one of the other standard rootstock roses like Dr. Huey. 

This year the same thing happened, but it also produced this one cane that grew about 10' tall, and appears to be a pillar rose. Or is simply a long sucker? Could it be Westerland that grew from scraps of a stem? It can't be from scraps of the Westerland roots, because it was grafted. And if it never was vigorous before, why would it be vigorous now? 

Any insight you have would be greatly appreciated. I have limited sun, so it hasn't bloomed yet. Or maybe it just takes a few years for a volunteer to bloom. Regardless, thank you for any insight you can provide.

responder: Thank-you for contacting the Infoline, a service of UNH Cooperative Extension.   Replied October 24, 2024, 10:12 AM EDT
response: Hi Barbara,  Thanks for contacting the UNH Extension Infoline.  I agree with you that your mystery rose is probably root stock of the Westerland. Most common root stock used would be Dr. Huey, however r. multiflora is also still used  as root stock. There is also a slim possibility that the rose is Westerland , particularly if your plant was grown on its own root rather than a graft. That said, I do think it is most likely root stock.  My advice would be to be patient (the hardest advice for gardeners!) and take good care of the bush until it blooms and you can positively identify it. If it is multiflora or a root stock that does not work for your small amount of space, remove it and plant something more suitable. Pruning: It is never really a bad time to prune. However, pruning while a plant is dormant is less stressful on the plant. Wait until we have a good frost,  after which the bush will be dormant, and then cut all the canes back to about 3 feet.  Your plan for winter protection sounds excellent. Do this after the pruning.  Below I have included links to information about pruning and winter care.  I hope this is helpful and wish you luck with your mystery rose! More information:Pruning: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/guide-pruning-roses/Winter Care:https://extension.unh.edu/sites/default/files/migrated_unmanaged_files/Resource000481_Rep503.pdf

responder: The Question Asker Replied October 24, 2024, 10:54 AM EDT
response: Thank you, thank you! What a nice service.  I'll see if I still have the hangtag from the Westerland rose, and if so, see if it lists the nursery that grew it, and then contact them regarding whether it was a graft or its own root. Regards,Barb WolmanOn Thu, Oct 24, 2024 at 10:12 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote: