Sharp Roses Stem From a Good Job of Pruning

Question: I am going to be pruning my hybrid tea roses for the first time. What tips can you give me?

A.D., Placentia

Answer: Now until Feb. 15 is an excellent time to prune your roses. Selected pruning shapes the bush into an attractive form and prepares the rose for the much-anticipated spring blooms. Here in our mild climate, severe pruning is not necessary. You should only remove about one-third of the plant.

Start with sharp pruners. Your first step is to remove any dead or diseased wood. A small saw works best for larger canes. Next, cut out all weak stems that are smaller than a pencil. Also remove canes growing toward the center of the plant and those that are rubbing or crossing.

Make clean cuts about one-quarter of an inch above a healthy-looking outside-facing bud. Your cuts should be on a 45-degree angle with the high side just above the bud. Use white glue to seal all cuts that are larger than a pencil to prevent cane borers from entering the cane.

Suckers should also be removed. These are prickly, thin canes with different leaves that sprout from below the bud union. The best way to remove suckers is to grasp firmly with a gloved hand and give a hearty yank. This way you will get the bud cells and be less likely to get more suckers down the road.

The ideal structure is an open bush, with four to 10 remaining canes growing outward (it should resemble a vase when you’re done). Remove all foliage from the canes. Then rake and remove all debris from around the rose bush.

It’s also a good idea to apply a dormant horticultural oil spray to the plant, which will which help eradicate pests and diseases.

Have a problem in your yard? University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Master Gardeners are here to help. These trained and certified horticultural volunteers are dedicated to extending research-based, scientifically accurate information to the public about home horticulture and pest management. They are involved with a variety of outreach programs, including the UCCE Master Garden hotline, which provides answers to specific questions. You can reach the hotline at (714) 708-1646 or send e-mail to ucmastergardeners@yahoo.com. Calls and e-mail are picked up daily and are generally returned within two to three days.