Jun 20th, 2011
Roses – Pruning tips
Follow our pruning steps if you want abundant of healthy flowers like this during the summer months.
- When to prune:
Prune during the end of winter when you do not expect severe cold conditions. Do not prune when the soil is wet (Cutting zones will die back if pruning takes place when the soil is wet). Prune while eyes are dormant and before they start to develop. In colder areas it is best to prune during the first two weeks of August. In areas with a more moderate climate pruning may take place during the last two weeks of July.
- Dead wood:
Remove all the old dead wood.
- Where to prune:
Cut the plant back to the lowest green and healthy wood. Prune just above an eye and leave 3 to 4 eyes on the stem.
- Allow light to enter the plant:
Remove some of the stems growing to the inside of the bush in order to allow sunlight to enter the bush.
- Tree seal:
Paint the cutting zones with tree seal. This will help to prevent die-back.
- Compost:
Spread compost over the beds (100 to 300 grams of good quality compost per square meter).
- Lime:
Broadcast dolomitic lime on the surface of the soil if the soil is too acid. The amount depends on the pH of the soil.
- Lime sulphur:
Spray the plants and soil with lime sulphur. Do not spray lime sulphur on plants with active growing eyes or foliage – it will burn the eyes and leaves. Lime sulphur will control fungi spores on the plants and in the ground. Remember that lime sulphur should be fresh – old stock is not effective. Use concentrations as indicated on the label of the sulphur.
- Watering:
Give no water the two weeks before pruning. Give a small amount of water immediately after pruning. Remove the water stress but be careful not to give too much water – too much water during this dormant growth phase will cause root rot. Irrigate at least weekly after pruning and increase the amount of water gradually.
