Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

RUNING ROSES

All roses need some type of pruning. If roses are not pruned for a number of years, plants deteriorate in appearance and often develop more than the usual disease and insect problems, while the flowers become smaller and smaller.

Roses should be pruned before the plants begin to grow, but after the most severe winter weather is over. Early- to mid-February is a good time to do this work. All that is needed to prune the rose bush is a pair of leather gloves and some sharp shears.

First, remove all dead and diseased stems. Cut dead stems at least one inch below the deadwood. Next, remove all weak wood that is smaller than a pencil in diameter and all canes that are growing to the center of the bush. Last, shape the plant by cutting the remaining canes back to a uniform height, usually 24 to 30 inches for strong plants.

Most plants have four to eight strong canes after pruning. If fewer, more spectacular blossoms are desired, the plants may be cut back even further. Be sure to make all cuts one quarter of an inch above strong outward facing buds.

Ever-blooming climbing roses usually do not require annual pruning. Pruning should be performed to invigorate older plants and to remove weak canes. Pruning should be limited to that which is required to keep the plant within bounds and to remove the old canes as they stop active growth and flowering. Prune the ever-blooming climbing rose in the spring before active growth begins.

The older climbing roses that produce only one flush of blooms should not be pruned until after they have bloomed. The oldest canes should then be removed to stimulate new vigorous growth which will produce next year's blooms. Some corrective pruning maybe required during the growing season to keep the plant in bounds.

Shrub roses are usually so vigorous that pruning is needed periodically to thin out crowded stems to make way for new growth. These plants should be pruned after they have bloomed.