If planting during adverse conditions, protect canes from sun with wet burlap. Another method is to mound soil around the canes, removing it as growth begins. Leggy growth with no flower buds. Plant roses where they will receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Reduce fertilizer application, especially nitrogen.
More harm is done by over fertilizing than by under fertilizing.
Prune out the blind wood. Identification may be difficult. Sucker growth will be distinctively different from normal growth, and will generally produce no flowers. The canes are small in diameter, but exceptionally long. Do not confuse with the basal growth of the variety which comes from above the bud union.