How much should I cut back hybrid tea roses?
Written by
Nguyen Minh
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.To prune hybrid tea roses properly, their stems must be cut to encourage strong stems and big flowers. These roses should be cut back harshly to 8-18 inches in late winter, during their dormant period. This harsh pruning encourages new, vigorous growth that bears the classic exhibition-style flowers for which hybrid teas are famous.
Cane Selection
- Retain only 3-5 healthy canes per plant
- Choose canes spaced evenly around the center
- Remove all others at ground level
- Select canes thicker than pencil diameter
Cutting Technique
- Make 45° angled cuts 0.25 inches above buds
- Always cut above outward-facing buds
- Position cuts opposite each other for balance
- Remove weak growth thinner than pencil width
Timing Factors
- Prune during late winter dormancy
- Time cuts when buds swell but before leafing
- Avoid pruning during freezing temperatures
- Complete pruning before spring growth starts
The integrity of cane selection forms the structural framework for your hybrid tea. Retain the canes evenly distributed around the central point as if they were spokes on a wheel. Removing canes that grow inwards or cross over one another. I consider the location of every cane before cutting. Sufficient pre-selection will help avoid crowding down the line.
The recommended cutting height depends on the climate and vigor of the plants. In cooler zones, greater cuts should be left for frost protection of the basal buds (12-18 inches minimum). Warmer regions can cut to 8 inches. My garden in zone 6 recommends a 12-inch cut at the end of the season. As you observe the effects of your bush's response, you'll know better where to cut in the future.
After pruning, provide immediate aftercare. Water deeply to lessen shock from transplanting. After four weeks, when new growth appears, apply a balanced fertilizer. I use a rose-specific granular fertilizer, 10-10-10. Protect pruning cuts from late frosts, as needed, using burlap wraps.
Monitor the new growth, taking into account vigor and spacing. Pinch back any weak shoots that are competing with the main stems. Train outward-facing growth using soft ties. My hybrid teas have the best blooms when stems grow without being too close to each other. Properly training early will help avoid midseason corrections.
Read the full article: Ultimate Rose Bush Pruning Guide
