I'm out in California, and I had to cut back our roses as they were running riot. I'm still learning to garden, and I want to do right by the roses. I'm in Central California, and it's currently in the high 90's. Is it ok to prune the roses, or should I just be dead-heading them?
I'm out in California, and I had to cut back our roses as they were running riot. yeah I know what you mean - click my sig
I clicked your sig, and it took me to the Protest section. Not sure what one has to do with the other.
I'm sorry - about the only thing I know about pruning roses is that my mom always does hers in the spring. love, mom
Sure you can prune your roses now. And should. And you should be feeding them about every four weeks. When I deadhead I like to take my shears down to a bud or leaf junction about the level I want to keep them. That way you don't end up with stubs. You don't need to open things up as much as you do in the spring, but you should always be pruning off cross overs and pruning for shape. It used to be said that when deadheading for faster rebloom you should always cut back to a 5 leaflet leaf, but studies have found that's not necessarily true for faster repeat bloom, but I think you'll find if you're up on your deadheading and shaping, it's usually the point where your clippers end up. Anyway...don't be afraid to prune right now. And remember to feed the little buggers if you want good repeat blooming.
