Some of my rose bushes are too tall (in excess of 6’) because they were reaching for the sun as the result of a couple of trees that were blocking it. The trees are gone, so I want to prune the bushes back to a more reasonable height (say, 4’). Here’s the problem: if I prune to the height I will be cutting well below the last visible growth bud or leaves on most of the canes. Do I just prune to the desired height anyway (below the growth buds), or prune down in stages over time?
Thanks for the advice!
Welcome Pietrie, Can you upload a pic for us? It seems reasonable to prune down to 4’, but above a leaf node. Be sure to fertilize and be faithful to water
Look below the leaves for bud scars that indicate where dormant buds exist. Bud scars resemble little smiles. Cut above an outward facing bud.
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When pruning rose bushes, address dead, diseased, dying , crossing and spindly canes, regarding of height. Last year’s shade probably has created spring pruning of a more aggressive nature. What state are you from?
I would definitely prune past or lower on the cane than you have pruned in the past. Those roses were searching for sun and canes may not be as strong as this year’s growth. Roses need a strong foundation to thrive.
I live in Delaware. My roses are well-fertilized, I think, and well-watered. I think the problem is probably me - I am afraid to prune them below the leaf nodes, and many of the primary canes don’t seem to have leaf nodes below 4 or 5 feet high.
Look for small straight lines along the canes. Sometimes all you will see is the line and not a bud or leaf node. I will try to post a picture.
On rose canes, there are nodes, even when you can’t see them. You can prune lower and new growth will come through pretty quickly. Then you’ll see where the nose is and can cut farther down above the node.
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All good advice, however I would wait to cut anything off the roses until after this horrific heat passes. The foliage not only feeds the plants but also shades the canes against sun scald (sun burn) which can literally kill them. When too hot sun shines directly on bare canes too long, it can cook the exposed area, killing the cambium layer (the circulatory system) and all growth above that dead area will then languish and die. The foliage also cools the plants by transpiring water (sap) up the canes and out the petioles (pores) on the under sides of the leaves. If temps and sun intensity were more “normal” for the season and location, pruning them down now would be OK. Living and growing roses in the kinds of severe heat and sun they’re describing across the East for the past half century has taught me waiting until the conditions are not AS severe is often a good choice. Good luck!
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