Gardens

Roses - Pruning

Pruning helps create stronger, better bushes

The exact pruning of a given plant will depend upon the condition of the plant, how fast it grows, what you hope to accomplish and whether the plant is a bush or running rose.

Pruning is a very necessary and vital part of growing roses. They, like many other plants, respond readily to pruning. Although some pruning or grooming is necessary year round, the heavier pruning job on bush or cut flower varieties comes in late winter or early spring. Usually late February to early March is ideal.

Pruning helps growth…

The exact pruning of a given plant will depend upon the condition of the plant, how fast it grows, what you hope to accomplish and whether the plant is a bush or running rose. Usually, pruning will help you to grow more flowers with better size and color and stronger stems. Generally, the slower and weaker growing varieties are pruned less than a vigorous, large growing variety such as Mr. Lincoln, First Prize, or Garden Party.

Follow these steps for successful pruning…

The first step is to use a sharp, clean hand pruner and cut away any dead, damaged, or weak stems leaving only the most vigorous, healthy canes. On rapid growing plants, cut out all canes except 3 - 5 of the healthiest, most vigorous ones. Prune these 3 - 5 canes back down to 15 - 18 inches. On weaker growing varieties such as Helen Trouble or Eclipse leave 5 or more canes and cut these back to about 24 inches from the ground. As the growing season progresses you will want to keep any weak, small or short stems pruned away.

Cutting flowers… a good pruning practice…

Cutting flowers to use inside is a form of pruning since you are removing stems and foliage. Try to cut flowers by making the cut on the stem leaving as much foliage to remain on the plant. Begin by looking at where the flowering stem began its growth and follow it up to the flower. Take note of the different kinds of leaves. Some will have 3 leaflets and some will have 5. To keep from weakening the plant, cut the stems just below the 2nd set of a 5 leaflet.

Climbing or running roses need less pruning.

Climbing roses are usually pruned less and only after the first big flush of flowering in the spring. The reason for the once a year and the precise timing is that climbing or running roses produce their flowers on stems or canes that grow each year. Prune them by cutting away all weak or damaged stems and removing all of the oldest canes leaving 5 - 7 canes untouched. Remember that flowers are produced on the oldest stems of running or climbing roses.

Gardens