Pruning roses

[Beatlelvr]

So I just pruned my roses, 5 plants. Thought I knew what I was doing, but checking youTube, I should have done it at 45 deg angle. I didn't, just straight across. Should I go back and redo them? What is result with 90 deg angle cut? Thanks.

[Attilatheblond]

1. Our Extension Master Gardner taught that a 45 helps prevent too much water getting into stem & rotting it

Might not be too bad, but if you have space below the cuts and the growth buds, it might be best to go with the angle.

[Shambala]

3. I was taught to rub some wood glue on the cuts to help seal them and prevent disease

Have you ever heard that?

[Attilatheblond]

7. Never heard of that, but it sorta makes sense

I might try a bit of bees wax as an alternative, although the dearly departed spouse did leave a gallon of wood glue.

[unc70]

2. What type of roses? How severe the pruning?

It might make a difference

[Beatlelvr]

4. A Mr. Lincoln, double delight, a ketchup and mustard

A pink, and a lilac color. I really didn't cut back that much, so I may have to revisit this!

[unc70]

6. Have generally followed guidance from Witherspoon

They have videos and instructions at their website:

https://witherspoonrose.com/pages/rose-care-information

They are near me so I took several of their classes. Haven't had roses in about 15 years. Hard to believe.

I used to have a large, beautiful rose garden with a rainbow of hybrids and a few other kinds. Alas, sold the house and nowhere now to garden. I cut about 3,000 blooms a season and left about as many to be enjoyed out by the sidewalk. I miss them.

Now to your question. I assume you did the heavy prune several months ago to get the roses to hibernate and have sprayed for overwintering. This seems a bit early for the wake-up pruning where you get each bush down to 3-4 best canes. If that's where you are, I would just leave them unless I see signs of damage.

Just remember, roses are just fancy briars. Aggressive pruning is how you get longer stems and more growth.

[Figarosmom]

5. Yes

Last edited Wed Jan 29, 2025, 05:57 PM - Edit history (1)

45 degree is so water doesn't accumulate and cause infection. 45degrees water runs off.

Mr. LINCOLN is a beautiful red rose with a wonderful scent. And he's very fussy. Redo him at least he's worth babying.