How to prune a Chinese rose tree

When is the best time to prune a rose tree?

Rose trees can be pruned all year round. Generally speaking, the best pruning time for roses is in May, June and August each year. You can choose the appropriate pruning time according to the growth status of the roses.

Spring pruning: The specific time is from May to June. The main purpose is to prune the withered flowers. The vigorously growing branches should retain 3-4 buds. The weaker branches can retain 1-2 buds.

Summer pruning: The specific time is June to July. At this time, the overgrown branches and leaves should be pruned in time to prevent them from competing for nutrients with other healthy branches. The pruning should not be too large to retain the original shape.

Autumn pruning: The specific time is around August. Prune the branches that grow vigorously during the growth period, especially some side branches. Keep 2-3 buds on each branch and prune the overall shape to make it have a certain ornamental value.

Winter pruning: The specific time for winter pruning of roses is December. Prune the weak branches, some diseased branches and leaves, dry branches and leaves, old branches and leaves, and branches and leaves attacked by pests, so that they can revive healthily in the spring of the following year.

Tips for pruning Chinese rose trees

When the rose leaves fall, they should be pruned, leaving branches about 15 cm high. The pruning area is about 1 cm above the leaf buds extending outward, and the side branches, diseased branches and concentric branches are trimmed at the same time.

After May, prune back 2/3 or 1/2 of the branch that has bloomed each time, so that there will be more opportunities for regeneration of flower buds.

If you want the flowers to bloom larger, you can also pick off some of the flower buds when there are many of them. This can not only concentrate the nutrients, but also extend the flowering period and bloom in batches.

Things to pay attention to when pruning Chinese rose trees

Pruning tools should be sharp and non-toxic. If you have pruned diseased leaves and branches, be sure to disinfect them again when you prune again.

When pruning, be sure to prune above the branch nodes. Pruning too close to the nodes may damage the buds. The cuts should be cut at an angle so that they can slide off quickly when water droplets are accidentally stained during watering, avoiding water accumulation at the cut and blackening of the stems.

For rose varieties that have several buds on one branch, if you want the flowers to bloom larger, you can leave only 1-2 buds on a branch and cut off the rest; as for those that have only one bud on a branch, you don't need to do this.