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Rose Pruning: When, Where and How |
Pruning roses can be quite a controversial topic. Everyone seems to have a different opinion. Some even feel it is not necessary to prune rose plants at all-just let nature takes care of things. While this may work, pruning your roses in a more controlled manner will give you much nicer roses.
Pruning roses can be quite a controversial topic. Everyone seems to have a different opinion. Some even feel it is not necessary to prune rose plants at all-just let nature takes care of things. While this may work, pruning your roses in a more controlled manner will give you much nicer roses.
Become familiar with your variety of roses and what works
best for them, get the right equipment and prepare to get
your rose plants in top condition for good health and
beauty.
When is the Best Time?
Many people opt to prune their rose plants in the winter.
Others just do enough to fit the protective coverings over
them and then wait until the spring to do the heavy
pruning. Either way, it is best to prune your rose plants
while they are dormant.
The key to pruning roses is to remove the dead canes.
Sometimes it is hard to determine if a brown cane is dead
or not. Start by cutting at the tips, a few inches at a
time. Keep cutting until the center of the cane looks white
instead of brown. The white indicates life. After removing
the dead canes, try to work on the shape by cutting all
canes back to about 18 inches. You also want to remove any
twiggy, dense growth as well as canes that cross and rub
against each other. Your goal in pruning should be to
regain a compact shape in the plant and also to open up the
center to allow sunlight and air circulation to reach the
middle of the plant.
Where on the Cane do I Cut?
In addition to knowing what to prune off, you need to know
where to prune. If you are cutting a cane back partway, cut
it back to an outward-facing dormant bud. Look at your
plant. Notice that a number of leaflets make up each leaf.
It is always an odd number. If you cut the stem just above
one of the leaves, a bud will soon appear where that leaf
joins the main stem. Look for outward facing leaves. If you
cut there, the bud and the new branch that will develop
will also be outward facing. When cutting roses to take
indoors, also cut back to a leaf with five leaflets facing
outward.
How Do I Make the Cut?
Now that you know what to cut and where to cut, you need to
know how to cut. Always make your cuts on a slant. This
will encourage the water to drain off the cut. You will
need to coat large cuts with a commercial plant wound
sealer. Shellac or nail polish can also work to coat a
large cut.
Is Deadheading Worth It?
Deadheading your rose plants is well worth the effort. This
task can extend your blooming season. To deadhead your
plant, cut back a branch to an outward-facing bud that is
above five leaflets. You can also enhance the looks of your
rose plants by removing faded blooms. Remove them even if
there are other buds in a cluster still producing flowers.
Tool's for the Job
When pruning your rose plants, use quality tools with sharp
blades. Depending on the size of your rose plant, you will
need a hand pruner, such as the Heavy Duty Rose Pruner
(catalog no. HP-120DX) and/or a long-handled lopper, such
as the 17-inch Lopping Shears with 1.3-inch cutting
capacity (catalog no. LP-LP10). Always wear gloves to
protect your hands from the sharp thorns.
Always choose professional-quality ARS products from
Orchard's EDGE for all of your pruning projects. Orchard's
EDGE will give you a sharp blade to avoid ragged or torn
bark. ARS tools are well known in the horticulture
industry. No manufacturer can match the ARS Marquench-
hardened steel blades that are hard chrome-plated for extra
toughness and rust resistance. Making cutting tools in
Japan since 1876, ARS is the leader in ultimate cutting
performance.
More Resources from Orchard's Edge:
For more information on pruning roses, check out our other
articles on this topic: "Pruning Roses," and "Ten
Principles of Rose Pruning."
To get your rose plants in the best condition to produce
beautiful flowers, determine when the plant is dormant.
Always make slanted cuts above a five-leaflet outward
facing leaf. Deadhead the plants to extend their blooming
season. Arm yourself with the proper, quality tools, and
you're on your way to a great rose season!
Kay DiVerde is a freelance writer, horticultural researcher
and consultant for Orchard's Edge. DiVerde also writes for
a variety of newsletters and publications in the Midwest.
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