Pruning the rose bush stimulates flower growth and makes them more durable and resistant. In addition, pruning makes the plants concentrate on producing flowers instead of concentrating on many weak shoots. But before starting to cut branches, it is necessary to learn about the most appropriate technique for your plant and have the appropriate scissors.
Not all varieties of rose bushes tolerate the same type of cut, and to prune them you must have clean and sharp pruning shears. Dirty and contaminated instruments can transfer diseases and fungi to the rose and damage it. That’s why you should always clean or disinfect your scissors before cutting.
What seasons and cut each type of rose requires
- Spring: It is the ideal time to give them a simple shape touch-up or to make radical cuts. However, you must wait for the last frost to pass. Below freezing temperatures can damage freshly cut branches.
- Summer: You can cut some rose bushes that bloom several times in summer. Cutting at this time is intended to clear up overly tangled bushes.
- Autumn: Many experts advise against pruning roses starting in mid-autumn, because shortly before winter there is an increased risk of sudden frost penetrating the freshly cut plant and damaging it. In addition, many rose bushes produce showy rose hips that brighten the eye and serve as food for birds.
- Winter: In winter the plant should not be pruned. You can think about pruning again starting in mid-March.
How to prune rose bushes correctly
First of all, clean the scissors with pharmacy alcohol. For cutting, You should place the scissors approximately 5 mm above a bud or bunch of leaves. The cut should be oblique and the highest part of it should be closest to the bud. Correctly performed, this cut promotes the emergence of new shoots.
The intensity of pruning depends on the species. Below we give you instructions for the different species of roses:
Shrub and noble roses tolerate vigorous pruning
in spring you must regularly remove diseased shoots, but also weak ones, as well as old woody areas, in these species of rose bushes. The powerful branches can retain up to 7 buds in spring. Young or thin branches are reduced to three buds. Old shoots with little or no flowers can be cut back from the beginning of the trunk.
This type of roses also, They require a cut in summer. If necessary, excessive growths are thinned.
In May you should keep an eye on the noble roses because They have a tendency to form blind shoots that do not form flowers. This may have several reasons. One of them is a strong difference between day and night temperatures in the garden or on the terrace. Therefore, you should look for the branches with these buds and reduce it to the nearest five-leaf branch. This promotes the formation of new flowers.
Climbing rose bushes: the flowers decide the cut
Most climbing rose bushes are English roses, which surprise with their growth and fantastic flowering although only for a few weeks. These rose bushes It is best to prune them in late summer after flowering. Dead, weak and cross growing branches should be reduced or completely removed before falling.
Bare root rose bushes
They are rose bushes that are sold without a pot, they are usually cheaper. Your transportation is a lot more environmentally friendly since they do not contain pots, soil or plastic bags.
It should be noted, however, that these plants, regardless of the variety, obviously cannot survive for long without being planted. The roots are kept well wet, approximately 14 days. Therefore, after purchasing, you should plant them in the ground quickly, whether in the garden or in a pot.
How to Prepare the Bare Root Rose Bush for the Ground
- Shorten the plant by about 20 centimeters. Remove damaged roots and lightly trim the tips to stimulate growth.
- Before planting, you must place the rose bush in a bucket of water, from a few hours to a day at most.
- Make a hole in the ground and check that all the roots are below ground level.
- Now you have to center it and spread the roots to avoid bending and then cover them with the substrate.
- Now lightly press the earth with your hands so that the roots are well established.
- Water abundantly and place a stake Be careful to avoid the roots.