Selectively removing branches from your bushes (pruning) is seen as hurting a bush by many. In fact, it does the total opposite. By pruning your (hybrid T) rose bushes you are able to remove unwanted diseases as well as some pest looking for a quick meal or a place to call home. Now that winter is almost behind us it's finally time to prune. The damage you are looking for was caused by frost. Just as we do when injured, rose bushes bruise to show any areas that need attention. Rose bushes when damaged by frost will have symptoms of the branches (canes) being brown or black. This is a good thing for us. By the branches being discolored in this way it allows us to locate them easier. Now that you've located the damage, you are now ready to start removing it by cutting (pruning) it out. When removing the the damaged branch, you want to follow it down to the base of that branch. When at the base of the branch follow it back up 1-2 inches then cut at a 45 degree angle. This will stop any water from staying on the cut area which could cause mold or bring in pest that thrive on damaged wood. Some winters are worse than others. You might only need to cut 1 or 2 branches out, while some may take the removal of the whole bush depending on how many branches you're having to remove. When removing the damaged branches you will allow wind movement through out the bush. This can helps with keeping most pest(bugs) and mold away
from finding a home within your roses. Lets get this season off to a great start. You are already one step ahead of the rest.
(Picture provided by: "WIX.com")
Comments