Traditional pruning
Pruning Roses
This is the traditional method of pruning roses. Using the terms, hard, moderate or light pruning. These are explained on this link about styles of pruning roses. Knowing how to prune roses and when to prune roses deters many from even attempting to grow roses.
There is no need, this is the old method but there is a new easy care method that has been tested over many years and is every bit as good. You can find the link to the easy care method of rose pruning at the bottom of this page along with an explanation of the different styles used here. I recommend using the easy rose pruning method, the results have spoken for themselves.
I will use the term ‘new’ rose bushes to describe rose bushes planted less than a year or about to be planted.
I will use the term ‘established’ for rose bushes that have been planted for over a year.
If you are growing long stem roses, prune before the winds of winter set in. Otherwise the best time to prune is just before new growth starts. This applies to rose bushes standards or trees, and climbers. It is best to prune rambling rose types once flowering is over.
Pruning Hybrid Tea Rose Bushes.
New Bushes – Prune hard back to about 6 inches from ground level. This encourages root growth and strong stem growth from the base of the bush.
Established- Moderate pruning to about half the stem length is recommended. If the soil quality is poor or if it is a very vigorous type of Hybrid Tea, light pruning will suffice.
Pruning Floribunda Rose Types and Patio Roses.
New Plants – hard pruning to about six inches from the ground.
Established Roses – Moderate prune to about half the stem length. With very old or diseased stems hard prune to within 3 or 4 buds from ground level.
Pruning Miniature Roses, Shrub and Ground cover roses.
New – No pruning necessary.
Established Roses – Only a very light tidy up.
Pruning Floribunda and Hybrid Tea Standards/Trees.
New – Hard prune to about 9 inches.
Established – Do not hard prune, use moderate pruning to about half the stem length. Try to keep them the same length for uniformity.
Pruning Climbing roses.
New – Never prune, just get rid of any dead tips.
Established – This will depend on the exact type but cutting out, gradually, very old or diseased stems is needed.
The importance of a good sharp pair of pruners or secateurs cannot be overestimated. Damaging the stems with ragged cuts greatly increases the chances of infection.
Prune roses just above an outward facing bud at roughly 45 degrees. Pruning out diseases,old and crossing rose stem is important. This helps with air circulation and decreases the chances of disease especially mildew. Naturally it also promotes new and healthy growth. By doing this every year you are keeping your roses fresh and young. Always dispose of cuttings in the trash do not place them for composting for fear of infecting the compost and then spreading the infections.
This is the traditional method of pruning roses and on the link below you can find out what the different types of pruning e.g. hard,moderate etc., are, however there is a method that has been stringently tested since the 1990′s and has shown results that at the very least match the sucess of traditional pruning. It is simply called the ‘simple or easy rose pruning method’.
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