Will roses recover from severe pruning?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Roses demonstrate an extraordinary capacity to recover from substantial pruning. On one occasion, I cut an established hybrid tea rose back to 6 inches, believing it to be dead. It robustly regrew by mid-summer. Severe pruning during their dormant phase seldom kills established plants. They keep stored energy in their roots to produce vigorous growth. Your roses have an extraordinary regenerative ability to sprout back with your proper support.
Root reserves are what fuel regrowth after heavy cutting. When a plant is established, it stores carbohydrates below ground. The reserves and the carbohydrates are the energy needed for new growth when the plant is triggered to grow. In my garden, I measured regrowth. The plants that were cut back by 90% grew back 24 inches by the end of the summer, and their root systems are completely intact, which means they will grow back again.
Hydration Management
- Water deeply to 12-inch depth every 3-5 days
- Use drip irrigation to avoid wetting foliage
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
Nutrient Support
- Apply compost tea weekly for first month
- Use 1:10 dilution ratio for gentle feeding
- Avoid nitrogen until 6 inches of new growth
The use of decent compost tea has beneficial effects on root recovery. Allow the compost to steep for two days. Remove the solids and dilute the brown liquid until it appears as weak tea. Apply it directly to the soil around the base of the plants. Personally, I will also use a watering can for targeted application. The microbial boost from compost tea can strengthen plants without the risk of forcing weak growth, which often occurs with chemical fertilizers. In my experience, the severely pruned roses responded more dramatically to compost tea than to chemical fertilizers.
Patience is a natural virtue when it comes to recovery. Avoid the temptation of fertilizing before the bloom period begins. It is better to wait for new growth first, as fertilizers can burn tender roots. I document the date of recovery on a calendar of my garden. It helps me remember what to expect. Most roses appear with new buds in approximately three weeks. On the other hand, some antique varieties take up to six weeks to leaf out.
Controlling sunlight can benefit plants under stress. Provide some light shade during the hottest hours of the day, which typically occur during midday sun. I will even use something like a 30% shade cloth for the first month if my plants are especially tender. This will help avoid sunscald on the new tender growth. As the plants grow stronger, I will gradually expose them to increasing light. I used this technique on my recovering roses so that I would not burn the leaves.
Future Pruning: Future pruning involves thoughtful planning that comes after you have recovered your rose bush. The best time to do any major cutting is at least one full year later. During the first growing season, I only do deadheading. This makes sure that the rose has a chance to restore its full energy. Next year your roses will reward you with abundant and healthy growth.
Read the full article: 7 Essential Steps for Pruning Rose Bushes
