What are common rose pruning mistakes?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.The damage caused by pruning errors to rose bushes can extend for years. I have watched roses suffer for years after some poorly done cuts. Among the many possible mistakes that can be made, common mistakes would be cut type and timing. These errors can cause roses to contract diseases and prevent them from blooming. Knowing what proper practices to follow can prevent such problems. Knowing these things will allow your roses to thrive.
Timing Errors
- Pruning during frost risk causes cane dieback
- Cutting too early stimulates vulnerable new growth
- Solution: Wait for bud swell and check forecasts
Cutting Technique Problems
- Flat cuts lead to water pooling and rot
- Leaving stubs above buds causes dieback disease
- Solution: Make 45° angled cuts ¼ inch above buds
Dull tools produce ragged wounds that heal slowly. They crush plant materials instead of making clean cuts. I sharpen my bypass pruners before I start every pruning job. With a sharp blade, cuts come out smooth and heal quickly. You should also disinfect tools with 70% alcohol every time you change plants or prune plants in the same area of the garden. This will help prevent the spread of diseases from plant to plant in your garden.
Over-pruning immature roses can put stress on the plants, as their root systems are still developing, and young plants need a large leaf surface area to produce energy. In the first year, I would suggest removing only dead or damaged wood. For newly planted roses, I advise limiting cuts to 25 percent. This will help maintain a balance between flowers and foliage, encouraging solid establishment. When pruning mature roses, I typically recommend a much more aggressive pruning of up to 50 percent of the wood.
The autumn season, when pruning takes place encourages winter injury in most areas of the U.S. Cutting at this time stimulates new soft growth that is subject to freezing. Instead, you should remove only broken branches or dieback after flowering. Major pruning should be delayed until late winter, when the overall dormancy is at its peak. Instead of pruning for winterizing roses, I use more mulch; this protects my prize climbing roses against unseasonably cold temperatures.
To correct mistakes, you have to observe closely. Look at your roses after you've trimmed them. Are they oozing sap or have black tips on the canes? If yes, then you've got trouble. Each season, try to refine your approach. After I worked on my cutting techniques, my roses recovered fully. If you pay attention to specifics, your garden will be spectacular.
Angled cuts safeguard against water collecting on open wounds. Hold pruners at 45-degree angles downward. Cut ¼ inch above the outward-facing bud. This way, each cut directs new growth outward away from the center of the plant. Using proper angles will create stronger and healthier plants. I check that the angle and distance from the bud are correct at every cut.
Read the full article: 7 Essential Steps for Pruning Rose Bushes
