Due to our unreasonably wet start to this year, I'm behind on pruning our roses. I usually prune in February, but just now got started, and it's the 24th! When do you prune, and do you prune hybrids differently than own-root or antique roses?
I pruned all ours a couple of weeks ago. Also pruned off any leaves left from last year as they may harbour blackspot. As they are all doing nicely, I've already given them a spray of anti-fungal and pest control.
It's usually starts in the spring, usually from March but hubby has started in April but do get the flowers a bit later all depends what time we start and we have hybrid teas, the florabunas are the same. Climbers and ramblers are different also shrub roses.
When do I prune?— Well, usually in febuary...but, you know what it is, Jane— out of necessity, I have become a sort of “ reactionary gardener “ so to speak. I can no longer rely on my learned Natural schedule for planting, pruning and the like. Instead, I have to rely on and respond to Natural events for most things now. I am thinking that spring pruning leaves one with a relatively large window of opportunity. What I personally find more important ( in a way ) is where you make the pruning cut. The pruning cut depends primarily on a couple of things, as you well know—desired height and form of your bush and control. Which direction you want your rose to grow and why. These are things I spend way more time contemplating, and thus more time actually making the cut. I spend probably too much time “getting it right”. Having said that, the process for me is much quicker now that I have some years of experience under my belt. Of course, I am more sure of my results, increasing my pleasure factor. Chuckle. I doubt that our development here is anything like where you live, but perhaps my comments can offer a sort of guideline to add to your own more than adequate knowledge base. I hope that you will come back with some pics and discussion of your thought processes. I would find that interesting. Pruning hybrids? I pruned them all the same when I had several. Now I have but one sort, so I do it all the same every year.
I prune carefully, making sure to take out any dead wood and cut back rampant canes so they will grow in the right direction. Sometimes trying to control the rampant roses is less than successful. Hybrid roses here in Texas are short-lived, but the own-root and antiques do quite well. I have learned to be stern with our roses or they get too tall, too wide, and too wild! Here are a few photos of some of our roses.
Oh Jane, your roses are delicious to see. That is a good selection you have shown today. It looks like you have them scattered about your property. Thanks for your pruning discussion. It is interesting to hear how roses do there.
I prune normally 1st after the flowers have died off for the last time late autumn and usually if there is yellowing going on then cut harsh...then again late February when you can see some growth, but just nip the tips off..kick start mode....I must say I am not so successful with roses in General, so maybe need to take some different course....grow weeds...so easy...successful 100%....
Dianne, pruning encourages growth, as well as containing the growth habits of the rose. Now, take this as advice from someone in a totally different climate/soil type than you, but I'd pass on the autumn pruning. In spring it's easy to tell which canes are alive, how you want the rose to grow, and that is the time to give a gentle fertilizing. Weeds? If you want some really interesting and durable weeds, I can send you some!
The weather will change how and when we do our pruning for sure but I still stick with March when the Forsythias are blooming then it is easy for me to remember....Also I reckon it depends on the general condition of the rose..if the rose has been affected by any leaf issues I cut back some, but not too much as the frost can harm the rose. Some types of roses need a little trimming during the summer as well, just to keep them flowering for longer.
