Question
I live in London, England and have planted a red climbing rose (don't know the exact variety) in a 13X13 inch pot outside my door. It started out beautifully, reached about eight feet, and is beginning to bloom, but has recently started losing leaves. The blooms and the top ends of the vine seem very healthy, but most of the lower leaves on the vine have turned yellow and dropped off. I can't tell if it's going to stop, or if the whole vine is will slowly die.
Is the pot I'm trying to grow it in too small? Is there any way I can keep the rose alive until the Fall when I can re-pot it in something bigger?
Or is it more likely that I burned the rose by watering it in the middle of a pretty hot sunny day? Because I think I did that accidentally a few weeks ago.
Normally, I water it every few days in the early morning or evening, when the topsoil seems dry. I also fertilize it with Miracle Grow every two weeks.
I'd really appreciate your help as I've grown very attached to my climber!

Answer
Your climber is complaining about hot,aching roots. Most bush roses need a pot that is 18 inches deep to make room for the roots and a climber needs a larger one. Because roses hate hot and dry roots, a too small container will give them that. As it is a myth that watering a rose in the hot sun burns the leaves that won't cause the problem. You could re-pot it now if you are certainly it has a root ball and will come out in a clump. If not then the fall is best.
A climber really need 24 inches of depth and 2 1/2 feet wide. Plastic, although not too attractive, is still the best material to grow a rose in as clay bakes their roots. To keep your rose from complaining until the fall, can you wrap something around the container just to keep the roots cool. Plus grit your teeth and cut the climber back about a third as this will take some of the pressure off the damaged feeder roots to support the rose. No more fertilizer as this will only irritate the roots if they are under stress. Your rose will not die, it will just go into a snit because it doesn't like your small pot. Water it every 5 days by literally soaking it and watch the water come out the drain holes. If the roots have filled the pot, they may be stopping the water from really getting all the way down. Hope this helps.