PRUNING ROSES FOR BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

Since February is “pruning month”, our program will deal with pruning. Consulting Rosarian Murray Warner and Emilia Collins will provide a “hands-on” demonstration of proper pruning techniques and show you how to prune the different types of roses (hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas, shrubs, OGRs, miniatures and mini floras). Some basic principles apply to all types of roses; however, some require special considerations.

Why Do We Prune? Pruning is one of the most important practices in growing beautiful roses. Pruning is the way that the rose bush gets a “face lift” – a renewal. With rare exception, blooms are produced on new growth. Pruning promotes new growth; thus produces blooms. The life of the bush is extended by new basal canes, which replace the older, non-productive canes. One of the main goals of pruning is to “open the bush”, allowing for air circulation which helps reduce mildew, blackspot, spider mites and other unwelcome guests in our gardens.

When do we prune? Roses are pruned twice each year – once in the Spring and again in the Fall. The Spring pruning is typically done during the last two weeks of February and is quite severe, generally removing as much as one-half of the bush. Fall pruning, during the first two weeks of September, is not so severe, removing only about one-third of the bush.