Sustaining a Heathly Rose Shrub.

     I have been asked by few coworkers as to when do I  prune my roses?  To be honest I wait until the first hard frost of the season. I am located up north, right around zone 6, therefore I wait until about  January, or February to do any type of hard prunes.  When the tempeatures get to about 32 degrees and below, I prune my roses hard to at least two feet off the grown.  You might feel that this is a bit harsh, however, it was a lesson I had to learn the hard way.  In the winter of 2009 I was contemplating pruning a rose shrub in my front garden call  Golden Showers, but never did  get around to  doing it, fearing that if I did prune it, I would destroy it.  That  very winter of  2009 we had a severe snow storm that piled three feet of snow on that very shrub.  The weight of all that snow snapped the canes of this rose shrub and it never recovered from its damaged canes.   Lesson learned, choosing to prune will have far better out comes then choosing not to when  harsh winters are in the forecast.  Once pruned, two feet off the ground, they will be covered by snow insulating them from harsh drying wind of winter. Since then I have pruned my roses hard every winter, and each spring my roses have responded by coming back with vengeance. 

Pruning is a necessary part in maintaining  healthy rose shrub. Throughout the growing season it is necessary  to prune lightly right after they are finished blooming. This process of removing spent blossoms is called dead heading.  Pruning stimulates growth, this will allow your roses to send out side shoots, which will usually be in odd number of 3 and 5 allowing for a more bushier more compact look to your shrub. So when you decide to prune think about the following.

• Are you removing any and all deadwood,examining canes for canker, always clean your shears between pruning. 
• Anywhere on the shrub where canes cross, touch or grow inward should be removed.
• Remove old wood or weak spindly growth.
• Cut back canes so that they may reach a suitable thickness to support itself or large amounts of blossoms.
• Always prune to shape your rose shrub and to maintain good air circulation.
• Lastly if a rose looks unsightly because of older canes do not hesitate to prune hard. Remember pruning stimulates growth,  so prune hard, fertilize sit back grab a lemond aid and watch your roses grow.

Blackspot on Rose Leaves.

     My second reason for pruning is black spot.  Rose plants which are infected will begin to show signs on their lower leaves.   Look for dark circles of brownish or black spots. Eventually the leaves will begin to yellow and then drop off. A plant with severe black spot infestation will drop all its leaves in just a matter of weeks. In order to control black spot disease you need to understand its method of transmission, it is a spore and it is spread by rain  or by simple irrigation onto uninfected leaves. Or by simply not cleaning your shears between pruning. Black spot spreads quickly in wet or humid conditions, warm weather creates the ideal conditions for it to spread.. In order to control an outbreak of Black spot pruning to maintain proper air follow and allowing foliage to dry quickly between watering is key. The latter part is a little more difficult because we can not physically control the weather when it calls for rain. Mother Nature will have her way, your shrubs are sure to get their leaves wet. Nevertheless, if you have pruned your roses properly establishing good air circulation enabling the rain water to dry off quickly, you have accomplished the first step in controlling the spread of spores . Remove any leaves that show signs of black spot and remembering to disinfect shears after using them on any plant. Never compost leaves that are infected with black spot spores, this a sure fire way of spreading it. Don't fret if you find yourself a little over whelmed by this, there are products available at your nursery or local box stores which are sulfur based fungicides that work well at controlling these outbreaks. However, always read the directions when using chemicals even if they claim it to be safe for the environment. The protection of your environment and the local eco system begins with you.

Iceberg

     As I pick up my shears and make a bee line over to the roses, I stand in amazement at the beauty of a rose.  Knowing that choosing to prune will only enhance its beauty.  As I move forward with shears in hand,  humming a  familiar tune, like the Pied Piper of  roses....."Lettuce Bee Sustainable with Our Rose Shrubs Too".