Background: I bought a rose stem with root, planted it, and it began growing. The growth produced a plant that had a thick stem (diameter of a magic marker) with leaves only on the top. Like a 3 foot long tree. I really want it to spread out, and be short and bushy.
Guidelines indicate I should cut off no more than 1/3. If I cut off 1/3, I will be cutting all foliage from the plant. Should I attempt this anyway in hopes new growth starts with a split at a lower point if I want to achieve a wide rose bush with many branches?