How do I prune a rose standard ??

[Slug_killer]

How do I prune a rose standard ??

[Slug_killer]

[goodlife]

Oh..well..there is no short answer for this but I'll try..
For start with...commercially they craft the flowering variety to strong growing variety that will provide the 'leg'.
But if you want to make a one out of your own that would be all just one variety, it is possible but you will be limited how tall it will become. If the variety is not particularly good grower you might end up just short one.
For start with you will need either a establish plant that has one good young stem..cane it upright tying it in so the stem will stay straight. Once the 'leg' is high enough or reached it's maximum, cut some of the top off. Now you should start getting some new shoots emerging from the stem..remove all but 3 or 4 top ones. Once these side shoots have grown few true leaves..cut these again..to get more side shoots ..etc..
Now this is not by any means ideal way to go with..you will need to start early spring and carry on training and pruning all summer and you won't see flowers for couple of years..depending of the variety of rose, you might end up with acceptable looking standard or you may have waisted couple of years of your time. During the training and pruning you will need to feed the rose quite heavily with nitrogen rich feed to encourage plenty of growth and ease out of it later on summer for stems to harden off for the winter.  Personally I would always choose strong growing variety and start with cutting rather than establish bush as you will end up with 'suckers' coming up from the cut off branches.
Now if you are 'handy' with crafting you could do standard 'properly'..but that's another story ;D

[Slug_killer]

Thanks for the info ... but ...

I have already got two shop bought standards and am wishing to cut them back for the winter.

When I have attempted this before, they either die, become leggy, or dont flower ever again.

I've been pruning them just like a normal tea rose - Ie down to a few strong shoots that are about 6" long from the graft / ground.

Am I pruning these standards badly, or is it the cold winter thats damaging them.
( they are planted in the ground, but could be moved if required) .

[goodlife]

Ah..ok..you meant how to prune standard rose ::)..not how to prune to make one ;D
Lets start again ;D..This time of the year you only need to prune some of the growth off..to prevent the worst rocking during winter gales. So shorten all the long growth..say 1/3 off and that's it..some bonemeal around root area would do good too. Check that stems are well suported and none of the ties are not too thight ..then leave them be.
Next spring when new growth start then prune all top down..leaving 2 or 3 new shoots to grow per stem..some rose fertilizer..and they should take off ;D ;)
Roses need plenty of feeding..all those flowers will take lot from the plant and if you don't provide enough..well you get sad, non flowering plants..
During growing season you could give them handful of rosefertilizer once a month..and slowing down with feeding coming to end of August.

[Tee Gee]

Goodlife has given a good account of what is required.

As I see it;

a 'standard' is basically a shrub rose on top of a long stick so treat it as a 'shrub rose' !

see here;

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Rose%20pruning/Rose%20Pruning.htm

click on pictures to enlarge!