Cut off dead roses or not? We clarify

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Roses that have faded should be removed regularly by pruning to ensure that they continue to bloom. A rose bush has strong regenerative properties so that it is not damaged by pruning. Rather, faded inflorescences damage the plant, it quickly loses its strength and no more new flowers form. Only through targeted and periodic pruning of the dead roses will the plant remain vital and blooming. However, the cut must be made specifically so that the rose bush does not become infected with pathogens.

growth

Rose bushes have a sustained great ability to regenerate; the flowers can develop to their full size again from just a single rose eye. Without pruning the faded flowers, the gardener won't do anything wrong, but he does Rosenstock grow old with time and can in just a few years its joy of blooming and vitality lose. The faded rose petals continue to be supplied with nutrients by the plant, which means that the plant loses its strength unnecessarily. If these are not pruned, the power goes into seed formation and no new buds are formed. The following aspects are crucial for growth:

  • Faded flowers must be cut off, otherwise they will grow old
  • As a result, roses do not develop any further young shoots, especially in the soil area
  • In this way, rose bushes become bald over the years
  • Cutting off stops the useless supply of the dead rose petals
  • Pruning helps in the formation of new flowers
  • Prune back strong growing shoots more gently
  • Apply more radically to weakly growing shoots
  • Without pruning, the branches grow too long in proportion
  • The plant gains in volume, but the shoots are not strong enough
  • Shoots that are too long can no longer withstand wind and weather and break off
  • In addition, a rose bush looks much more handsome without dead flowers

instructions

Tufted Rose - Rosa multifloraAlthough roses tolerate pruning quite well, the pruning must be started at certain points so that the plant is not damaged and can recover quickly. If the incision is made incorrectly, it can quickly become infected with bacteria and fungal pathogens. However, not only the faded rose petals should be cut off, but also the leaves underneath. This allows the plant to maintain a designated growth direction. The following procedure has proven itself when pruning the faded rose petals:

  • Make a cut back about 0.5 cm above the first fully developed leaf, which is below the withered flower
  • Cut after one eye pointing outwards
  • Cut away at an angle from a new shoot that is already visible
  • Angled cut prevents water from collecting on the cut
  • The stem must never stop
  • Never break out or break off the flower
  • Frayed break points encourage the penetration of harmful pathogens
  • Aborting also supports the sprouting of puny buds
  • Faded roses on extremely thin and weak branches may be cut deeper
  • Low prunings encourage stronger growth

Tip: The first leaf below the flower usually has only 3 leaves, whereas a fully developed leaf has more than 5 leaves. The first fully developed sheet should remain where possible, but the poorly developed sheet can still be cut off.

time

The pruning of faded rose petals is to be carried out in addition to the shaping maintenance cuts. Therefore, the plant must be constantly monitored during its flowering period so that these can be removed relatively quickly:

  • Cut out the dead flowers throughout the summer
  • Check the rose bush regularly
  • Withdrawn should not remain on the plant for too long
  • Constant removal of the faded rose petals ensures strong and abundant flowering plants
  • Warm days without rain are ideal
  • Avoid too hot, too cold and too wet weather conditions
  • Long-term high humidity leads to the penetration of pathogens at the interfaces

tool

Cut off the faded roseWhen pruning the roses, the right equipment is not only necessary, it is imperative. The tool must meet high requirements so that extremely smooth and precise cuts can be made without unnecessarily injuring the plant. If the rose shoot is severely crushed or even torn, it often happens that harmful bacteria and fungi can penetrate the injured areas. As a result, the plant loses its resilience and becomes more susceptible to disease. The following criteria are critical to the rose pruning tool:

  • High-quality secateurs are required for cutting roses
  • Special rose shears with a shape adapted to your needs are ideal
  • Bypass scissors are like normal household scissors, two blades slide past each other
  • Bypass shears prevent crushing, especially with soft shoots
  • Scissors with a bypass system require more effort, but it is worthwhile
  • Anvil shears have a sharp blade that strikes a straight plane
  • Anvil shears make it easier to cut thick shoots
  • However, scissors with an anvil system often lead to harmful bruises
  • Always disinfect scissors well before use, sharpening them if necessary
  • Either use denatured alcohol or burn blades to disinfect
  • There are extended rose claws for tall climbing roses

Tip: Not only the roses should be protected from injury, the gardener's hands also benefit from additional protection in the form of robust gloves. When working with the prickly thorny plant, these offer good protection against cracks and cuts, which can lead to painful inflammation.

Rose varieties

The procedure for cutting off the faded rose petals also differs depending on the type of rose, which determines the growth and development of the flowers. These include the following varieties: bed roses and hybrid tea roses, climbing roses (blooming once or more often), rambler roses, tree roses, shrub roses (blooming once or more often), wild roses and dwarf roses. The following aspects must be observed with the rose varieties:

  • In the case of weakly blooming shrub roses, cut back the rotten shoots to two-thirds
  • When it comes to bed and hybrid tea roses, prune back older shoots more strongly
  • Climbing roses do not develop flowers in the first years of life
  • Wild roses form beautiful and bright red rose hips, leave them standing
  • In the case of standard roses, cut off old shoots generously in favor of young ones
  • In the case of rambler roses, only cut back the strong, withered shoots, proceed carefully with the rest
  • Pay attention to hemispherical cut shape for dwarf roses

Conclusion
Rose blossoms should be cut out as soon as possible after they have faded so that the plant does not unnecessarily supply the dead shoots. Therefore, the rose bushes should be checked regularly during the flowering period in summer in order to be able to act promptly. If faded roses stay on the plant, it will weaken and age over time. The aging leads in the long run to meager instincts and an ever weaker bloom. In addition, withered flowers on a rose bush do not look particularly attractive and reduce the attractive overall impression. When pruning, the interface is crucial, it should be below the withered flower, but still above the first fully developed leaf. Inferiorly developed shoots can, however, be cut off more radically, which also strengthens growth and the joy of flowering. Furthermore, the tool used for cutting is of great importance, it should always be clean and sharp. In this way, the plant is not disproportionately squeezed and injured, because pathogens can more easily penetrate through cut wounds and permanently weaken the rose bush.

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