When is the best time to prune roses?

Rose pruning time and season

One of the characteristics that distinguishes roses from other flowers and trees is that they need to be pruned many times during the cultivation process. They need to be pruned roughly four times a year, once in spring, summer, autumn and winter, and winter pruning is the most critical.

Spring pruning: Light pruning is needed after the flowering period. The so-called light pruning means that the branches of the rose that are too long should not be pruned, and it is only appropriate to prune at the base of the second leaf under the flower.

Summer pruning: Pruning is needed at the end of June to prevent old branches from sprouting new buds too early. Only the remaining flowers can be removed, and the leaf buds at the top of the plant can be retained. After the beginning of autumn, all the second sprouting branches of the rose can be cut off, leaving only the height of the first pruning.

Autumn pruning: October is the second peak flowering period of roses. Pruning can be done soon after the flowering period.

Winter pruning: Around the winter solstice is the best time to prune roses. This pruning requires heavy pruning, which means cutting off most of the branches of the plant.

Rose pruning methods and steps

Pruning of low branches: We only need to count downwards from under the flower to find the position with five leaves. After finding it, select the five leaves growing outwards, keep these leaves, and cut off all the upper parts.

Pruning of high branches: The principle of pruning is to cut off 1/2 to 1/3. The overall height should be retained according to the approximate height when we pruned the low branches last time. Only then will the flowers bloom more neatly and more beautifully in the future.

Pruning of inner branches: Generally, the inner branches grow crosswise, so try to prune them all, and then prune off some thin and weak branches on the inner side, and prune off all blind buds.

Bottom branch pruning: You should cut off all the thin branches and old branches growing from the bottom, leaving a certain gap between the bottom of the pot and other branches, so that there is a certain gap between the soil surface and the entire plant, and ventilation will be very good.

Things to note when pruning roses

After light pruning, the remaining nutrients can promote the sprouting of new flower branches and flower buds. If the branches are cut too long, it will lead to nutrient loss.

The best time to prune the rose is when the flowers seem to be withering but not dying. Do not wait until the petals are completely withered before pruning. Pruning too late will consume nutrients and be detrimental to the germination of new branches.