Can I Trim My Roses While They Are Blooming to Make Them Bloom More?
- For optimum growth, trim roses at the start of the spring season when buds first start to develop on plant stems. Prepare the plant by pulling out infected or damaged foliage, die-back or weeds, which can spread disease and block circulation to the root system. Properly dispose of infected foliage and stems. Never allow die-back and other plant waste to remain on the ground or near propagating rose plants.
- Trim rose plants with clean bypass shears. Bypass shears are available at most local nurseries and garden centers. Old bypass shears' blades should be disinfected, especially if they've been used to cut away dead or diseased stems. Soak them in 70 percent alcohol for several minutes and rinse with warm water to remove traces of alcohol. Allow them to air dry or wipe them with a clean cloth.
- Start trimming with crisscrossing branches. Find the outward-facing bud closest to the rose stalk and place the shears at a 45-degree angle. Make a clean incision. Once crisscrossing branches are removed and properly disposed of, cut back the rest of the plant to 12 to 18 inches. It's essential that the cut are made at 45-degree angles to encourage upward growth from the plant base.
- Mulch is a must-have for blooming rose plants. Add a generous amount of mulch -- 2 to 4 inches -- after trimming the plant at the start of the spring season. This will boost moisture levels and reduce weed growth. Organic mulch blends made of wood chips and shavings, shredded bark, pine needles, cottonseed or cocoa-bean hulls, chipped oak leaves or peat nuggets work best. Leave a small space around the base of the plant to allow for continued growth. Replenish the mulch as needed.
