Winter care for roses

Fine trimming

In late autumn and early winter, when the ambient temperature drops below 5℃ , first cut off dead branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, crossed branches, overlapping branches, etc., and then, depending on the growth of the plant, use three different pruning methods: strong, medium, and weak.

For weak plants that are not growing vigorously enough, strong pruning should be used. You can cut off 2/3 of the whole plant , leaving only 3 to 4 main branches that are 1 to 3 years old, and leave about 20 cm at the base to concentrate the nutrient supply. This is suitable for potted large-flowered rose varieties.

For plants with normal growth, give moderate pruning and cut off 1/2 of the main branches . This is suitable for flowering varieties with easy sprouting branches. For small and medium-sized plants that are growing vigorously and developing normally, light pruning should be given to prevent excessive consumption of nutrients.

When pruning, pay attention to the sharp blade and smooth cut edge, and do not tear the upper cut edge. Generally, it should be 1 cm to 1 cm above the bud point . Cutting at 2 cm and retaining the outer buds can promote ventilation, light transmission and good plant shape. The cut branches and fallen leaves on the ground should be collected and burned, and the plants should be sprayed with lime sulfur at the same time, which can greatly reduce the occurrence of diseases and pests in the next year.

Buried fertilizer

For ground-planted plants, after pruning, you can dig a circular groove around the root system of the plant. Depending on the size of the plant, bury 250 grams to 300 grams of cake fertilizer powder for each plant. You can also use 500 grams of dried chicken or duck manure or pond mud to meet its growth and flowering needs in the coming year.

After pruning, the potted plants can be removed from the pots, some of the old soil can be shaken off, the rotten and dead roots can be cut off, and fresh, fertile, loose culture soil can be used to plant them. At the same time, 50 to 100 grams of fermented cake fertilizer powder can be buried in the middle and lower part of the pot to meet the needs of growth and flowering in the second year.

Keep warm

Winters in northern regions are relatively cold, so roses grown in the open field should not be pruned intensively in winter to prevent them from drying out and being damaged by the wind. Pruning can be done before budding in the following spring.

For potted plants, you can bury them together with the pots in a sunny place sheltered from the wind, and build a plastic arch shed outside to keep the soil in the pots from freezing. If the soil in the pots freezes for a long time, it will affect its growth and flowering in the next year. Note that for plants placed indoors, the temperature in the greenhouse should not be higher than 4℃ to 5℃ so that they can get full dormancy.

Strong branch cuttings

For some varieties that are easier to root, you can cut off the thick annual branches and cut them into 10 to 12 cm long ear segments. The lower incision is located 0.2 cm below the node . Use yellow heart soil as the cutting bed, and the cuttings are buried 4/5 deep in the soil , leaving only a bud at the end outside the soil. After watering thoroughly , set up an arch shed, cover it with plastic film and press it tightly. When the weather is too cold, cover it with straw mats to keep it warm and keep the seedbed from freezing. By the spring of next year, the lower incision will heal and take root.