2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Photo: Alena Bashtovenko
The main condition for active growth, flowering and the formation of a correct and beautiful crown of roses is timely and correct pruning of the bushes. When and how to prune rose bushes correctly? How high? What should you pay attention to? You will find answers to all these questions in this article.
Why do you need pruning roses at all?
Much depends on timely and correct pruning, including the following:
-rejuvenation of the bush (by cutting off the old branches, we stimulate the growth of new ones);
- the shape of the bush (when pruning, you can give the rose bush the desired shape);
-quality of the future cutting material;
-resistance to diseases;
- an abundance of flowering and maximum productivity.
Let's start by getting ready for pruning. What do we need, what tools?
Firstly, high, best to the elbows, tight, preferably rubberized gloves, so as not to injure your hands with rose thorns.
Secondly, the usual pruning shears for young shoots and sprouts, and thirdly, garden shears with long arms.
And the last, important tool, a small file. I have an insert, very convenient. With a saw, we will cut down the thickest old branches that cannot be cut with other tools. You should also stock up on a garden knife. He will be an indispensable assistant in the event that the cut turns out to be uneven.
When pruning roses, it should be remembered that growth buds (or, as they are also called, eyes) are located in the leaf axils, the higher they are, the sooner they germinate, the lower - the more time they need. This is due to the fact that the lowest “eyes” need to go through several stages of development before germinating. Therefore, be sure to consider this feature when choosing a pruning method.
Pruning methods
There are three types of rose pruning: strong pruning, medium pruning, and low (or moderate) pruning.
With a strong pruning from the very bottom of the process, we retreat 2-4 buds and cut off the branch. Such a strong pruning is rarely used at all, mainly during spring pruning when planting new bushes or with severe frostbite of existing ones, and almost never in autumn in order to avoid complete freezing of the branches of the rose bush.
Medium pruning. This type of pruning is carried out at the level of 5-7 buds. That is, at an average height. Such pruning is considered the most optimal, with it all unnecessary is removed, the bush is renewed and the appearance of the rose is formed.
Weak pruning. With this type of pruning, the length of the pink twigs is shortened to a minimum. This type of pruning is mainly used in the summer, when it is necessary to get rid of faded inflorescences and dried out tips.
In addition, some gardeners use a combination pruning of roses, combining all of the above methods.
Based on my own experience, I carry out medium pruning in the fall (by 7, sometimes even 8 buds), and in the spring, when re-pruning, I look at the situation: if the bush is not very frostbitten, then there is a rather weak pruning of roses, if the bush is practically frostbitten all, then I use strong pruning. In addition, I vary the types of pruning so that roses bloom at different times and there is no break in flowering, due to different pruning, some bushes bloom earlier, others (with strong pruning) bloom a little later.
By the way, I almost forgot about the most important thing: how to trim?
After the type of trim is selected, you can start the process itself. You need to cut carefully, trying not to damage the branches and avoid splitting. The cut should be smooth with smooth, not torn, edges. Cut off the branches in the direction from the bud, obliquely.
If the cut is uneven, straighten it with a garden knife and process it with a garden pitch.
Branch splitting most often occurs when working with a saw (a conclusion drawn from my own experience). To prevent this from happening, cut evenly, without changing the angle of inclination in the process and holding the branch firmly. Then the cut (more precisely, the saw cut) will be smooth and beautiful.
Subject to the rules and terms of pruning, roses will delight you with beautiful flowering throughout the summer!
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