Pruning roses can be a little scary, but as with many things in life, it takes practice and time. Plus it is really good for the future growth of the rose bushes.
It is very unlikely that you will kill the rose bushes even if you do not give them the most expert pruning, it is much more ideal to learn how to prune roses than letting them just grow as they please.
When to Prune Rose Bushes
It is important to get your roses ready for winter, it is a good idea to prune rose bushes’ stems back to a point where the rose bushes have a tight look to them, the reason pruning roses back this much is important because the pruning will help to protect the rose bushes from the harsh elements of winter. I have also found that gathering my rose bushes with a small string or rope and binding them snugly also helps to protect them from the winter elements.
If you live in the warmer climates and there is not as much concern in regards to the winter elements, then waiting until spring to prune rose bushes is sufficient. In approximately late February and into March depending on where you live is a great time for pruning roses, when the rose buds just start to come out of hibernation, pruning roses is an ideal way to get a nice shaped rose bush.
This is where experience and time comes in to play, because you need to get familiar with your rose bushes and know by looking at the buds when to prune rose bushes is the appropriate time. Pruning roses too early could cause the roses bushes to not grow as well in the following season because of the winter elements affecting growth of the rose bushes.
However, if you wait too long and your rose bushes may become too weak because of the loss of sap that naturally happens. The best way to tell if pruning roses is the ideal time is by observing the rose buds and if they have the swelling effect, it is the time to prune. It is also a great time to give your rose bushes a little refresher by getting rid of the dead leaves and dead stems, leaving dead leaves and stems just hinders the rose bushes’ growth.
How to Prune Rose Bushes
A clean and sharp set of pruning shears are of the utmost importance and making sure that the shears are continuously cleaned in an alcohol solution is very important as roses are susceptible to diseases and prevention is the key. The cutting should be done at an angle and slanted, you want to always make sure you are making quick and clean cuts. Make sure to always prune above the outside buds and the cuts should be about a ½ inch above the rose buds.
Pruning roses is not hard, again it just takes time and practice. The results of your time and practice will eventually pay off as you will have beautiful and full rose bushes each season.
Sources:
Self-experiences
www.rose-gardening-made-easy.com
www.roseflowergarden.com
