How do I deadhead roses?page up: Rose Gardening FAQnext page: 08 How do I protect my rose bushes during the winter?
There are three main purposes to be accomplished when pruning roses. * Keep the plant healthy. * Encourage the plant to grow in a desired shape. * Encourage blooming, either more blooms or larger blooms. The proper tool for most pruning is a sharp clean set of bypass pruners. Anvil pruners should not be used for roses as they crush the stem being cut. A saw or lopping shears may be used to cut very large canes (1/2 inch diameter or greater) All pruning cuts on canes greater than 1/4 inch diameter should be sealed with nail polish or glue to prevent cane borers from entering. Proper pruning will help keep a rose bush healthy. Dead and diseased wood should be removed as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the bush. The future shape of the bush can be influenced by the location of each pruning cut. Opening up the bush to increase air circulation will help prevent diseases. Since rose bushes like to send out a strong lateral cane at the node just below a pruning cut, try to make
