How to prune roses in winter

Pruning roses in winter is very important, as it not only helps the roses stay healthy and beautiful. It can also prevent the loss of nutrients, help roses survive the winter better, and prepare for flowering next year. So how do you prune roses in winter? Let’s learn more about it below.

1. Pruning time

The best time to prune roses in winter is between December and February of the following year. At this time, roses enter a dormant period, grow slower, recover in a shorter time after pruning, and the wounds are less likely to be infected by bacteria. It is best to choose a sunny day for pruning and avoid pruning on rainy or windy days.

2. Pruning points

(1) Cut off diseased and insect-infested branches, weak branches, dead branches, and remove dead flowers and leaves.

(2) Old branches that are severely aged or have discolored skin and are difficult to produce strong branches should be cut off from the base.

(3) When pruning, cut diagonally 5 mm to 1 cm above the full buds, and prune from above the outer buds.

(4) The pruning methods for different types of roses are different. For example, it is recommended to prune miniature roses into a spherical shape, retaining branches of about 15 cm; climbing roses need to be pulled horizontally and pay attention to layered pruning.

3. Post-pruning processing

(1) Fertilization: After pruning, you can apply some base fertilizer to the rose to provide sufficient nutrients for the plant and promote its luxuriant growth in the next year.

(2) Sterilization and disinfection: After pruning, you can apply fungicide or healing agent to the wound, and then wrap the wound with plastic film after it dries. This can reduce the shrinkage of branches after pruning.

(3) Cleaning up fallen leaves: After pruning, the fallen leaves should be cleaned up in time. Fallen leaves can easily cause diseases and pests, affecting the growth of roses.

4. Pruning precautions

(1) Stop watering and fertilizing before pruning: Stop watering and fertilizing a few days before pruning to keep the soil in the pot dry and reduce the water content in the plant, which can effectively avoid sap flow.

(2) Tool disinfection: Before using the scissors used for pruning, wipe them with alcohol wipes or burn them over fire to disinfect them. Also disinfect them frequently during use to avoid carrying pests and diseases and cross infection.

(3) Pruning order: When pruning, be sure to cut diagonally from top to bottom.

(4) Pruning methods should be differentiated according to species: Healthy shrubs and micro-moons should be cut directly 10 to 15 cm above the soil surface. Climbing roses do not need to be pruned in this way, you just need to prune away the sick and weak branches.

By following the above steps and precautions, you can successfully perform winter pruning on your rose, helping it to better survive the winter and be fully prepared for growth and flowering next year.