Roses and Pruning
The words ‘roses and pruning’ tend to make some people nervous. It’s very easy to prune your plants without doing significant damage. Roses need to be pruned yearly for the best continued growth, tailored to suit the needs of the different varieties.
Pruning will help plants grow and produce more flowers. By removing old, diseased, and dead canes the bush or plant is opened up in the center, allowing for better circulation of air. That reduces moisture and helps plants resist fungal diseases.
Evaluate
The first step is to evaluate the plant to see where cuts should be made. Typically we start at the base of our rose plant with sharp 45 degree angled cuts. If the stem has buds, cut ¼ inch above the bud. Buds that grow on the outside of the plant are preferred over those growing inward.
Cut and Seal
Eliminate dead canes when pruning. Cut far enough down to remove all dead ‘wood’. Also remove smaller wispy looking branches. After making the cut, apply white glue or a commercial sealant to seal the cut and prevent disease. Cut away suckers, or new growth emerging from the outer base of the plant. By removing a third of the older canes on the bush, the plant is opened up.
How Often?
Different varieties should be pruned differently. Roses that bloom once a season should be pruned in early spring. The blooming of forsythias is a good indicator of when to prune. Try to alter the cuts so the canes are at varying heights. The rose will have a more natural look and flowers will grow in a more random pattern. Stems should be kept anywhere from 18 to 24 inches tall.
Roses that bloom throughout the summer have different requirements for pruning. The bloom typically comes on older growth, so less pruning is needed. Pruning is not necessary the first year for a multi-blooming rose. On the second season, take out the oldest stems; only remove 1/3 of the canes.
The Exceptions
There are exceptions: Alba, Damasks, Gallica and Centifolia are one time bloomers, yet they bloom on older wood. After flowering, deadhead and then remove dead canes, shaping the plant in the process. That is all these roses require.
Pruning is best done with sharp, oiled shears. Always clean shears at the beginning of the season and regularly rub blades with rubbing alcohol to prevent fungus and disease from being transferred to other plants in the garden. For personal safety wear gloves and long sleeved shirts for pruning. Remove clippings to a remote location, not in the garden. Remember to seal each cut after the plant has been pruned.
The garden has now successfully been pruned and plants are happy and well manicured. A healthy plant will reward you with better flowers, more resistance to disease and a longer, hardier life.
MJ Blake has been growing roses for years and has recently decided to share that knowledge with the world. For tons more information related to roses and pruning, please visit RoseGardenSolutions.com.