How to Prune Rose Bushes
Roses, as a classic garden flower, have their pruning techniques directly affecting the quality of blooming and plant health. Scientific and reasonable pruning not only enhances ornamental value but also strengthens disease resistance and extends plant lifespan. Mastering the pruning points in different seasons will make your roses bloom more brilliantly.
Analysis of Rose Pruning Timeline
Winter Dormancy Period Pruning
When the temperature drops to 5℃ or below, use the severe pruning method. Use sterilized gardening shears to cut off dead and diseased branches from the base, leaving the main branches about 30-40 cm tall. Focus on cutting inward-growing branches to ensure good ventilation and light penetration, as pruning at this time can reduce winter nutrient consumption and store energy for spring sprouting.
Spring Sprouting Period Pruning
Prune when the temperature rises to 15℃. Retain 2-3 full buds at the top of the main branches and promptly remove weak and dense buds. When new branches grow to 15cm, pinch the top to promote side branch differentiation. Pay attention to retaining outer buds to make the plant shape spread out like a bowl, which can increase the number of flowers by over 40%.
Post-Bloom Revitalization Pruning
Complete pruning within 7 days after the flowers fade. Make an oblique cut 1cm above the 5th compound leaf of the flower branch and remove blind branches (branches without flower buds). Update pruning for branches over three years old, retaining healthy branches 15cm from the base, and applying phosphorus-potassium fertilizer to promote the reblooming rate of varieties that bloom twice.
Advanced Pruning Techniques
Adjust pruning intensity for different rose varieties: shrub roses retain more main branches, climbing roses focus on shaping, and mini roses require careful thinning. Immediately treat cuts with a diameter over 1cm with a wound healing agent to prevent pathogen invasion. Combine pruning with staking to achieve the best lighting angle for the plant.
Systematic pruning management can keep roses growing vigorously for over 15 years. It is recommended to establish a pruning log, recording each pruning time, intensity, and plant response, to gradually form a pruning plan suitable for local climates. Regular pruning combined with water and fertilizer management will result in an impressive rose wall.