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Rose Pruning Tips
There are as many different opinions about how and when to prune as there are roses in need of pruning. Pruning and deadheading are important parts of your rose care routine that will result in beautiful bushes that reflect the care that you put into them.
Simple Rose Pruning Tips to follow:
1. Keep the center of your bushes free of growth to allow good air circulation which helps to keep down the instances of fungus infection. This also denies insects and pests a place to live.
2. Remove any dead or decayed growth. This keeps your bushes looking better and also denies disease and insects a place to call home.
3. Shape your rose bushes as they grow.
4. Remove crossing branches to promote stronger growth.
5. Always using sharp pruning shears and clean the shears after use to remove any disease or fungus spores.
6. Strong leather gloves are a good idea to wear when pruning roses.
Here are some great ones you can buy:
Garden Gloves - Ultimate Grip Rose Tender Gloves
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Where to Cut?
The cut should be made just above a bud pointing in the direction you want the new shoot to grow. |
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Hard Pruning
This pruning technique works best with new hybrid tea, grandiflora, and floribunda varieties. Cut canes back to three or four buds from the base or the bud unions. The end result is strong canes which are about 4 to 5 inches in length. You should not do hard pruning with established bushes because they may not recycle. The only exception is as a last-ditch effort to revive neglected bushes. Medium Pruning
This technique works fine with established gardens of floribundas, hybrid teas, , tree roses and grandifloras. Cut strong stems back to approximately half of their length. Weaker stems may be cut back even more if needed.
Light Pruning
Light pruning is not normally recommended for most bushes as it tends to produce early blooms and poorly developed flowers. Use this technique only if others are not working and the bush is an eyesore to begin with.
Cut the canes back to approximately 2/3 of their length. After all unwanted wood is removed any remaining stems are "tipped".
"Pruning is essential for roses in order to encourage new growth and bloom as well as to shape the plant."
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Insects such as aphids, red spider mites, and thrips attack roses but can sometimes be removed by repeated blasts of water out of a spray bottle.
When cutting roses to bring indoors leave a couple of good leaves on the stem to avoid weakening the plant. |
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