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Did I screw up listing to my nieghbor?? Pruning knock out roses

Johndeereman7373

10 years ago

So today nov. 18 2013 I was cutting all my other shubs like alway and we had a bad storm last night and my knock out roses where all split and bushy so my neighbor told me I should trim them to 6 to 8 inches an now reseaching sounds like I killed them help and ideas...

Comments (8)

Johndeereman7373
Original Author
10 years ago
6 to 8 inches off the ground
michaelg
10 years ago
It won't kill them, but it's not good practice either.

At any time, cut back broken canes to a bud site below the break, remove dead cane sections and canes that are in the way. Otherwise, don't prune in fall unless you have an all-year growing season. Prune in early spring when growth begins. KO roses actually need very little pruning unless you want to reduce the size.

It's also inappropriate to prune spring-blooming shrubs like azalea and forsythia in the fall. If you wait until after blooming in late spring, they will be much prettier.
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I have to tell you that my name is Bonnie Jean too! I don't see many people with the name Bonnie much less the same middle name. I live in Texas and I have several knockouts and I have found it really doesn't matter how far you cut them back they always do well. I usually prune mine in February but we have a milder winter here in SE Tx. I camehome one day and my hubbie had pruned my knock outs so short I felt sure they wouldn't survive but they did and looked great when they grew. Knockouts are very hardy so I think you will be safe in anything you do to them. I would think if you pruned them in November that that should be good for this spring. But who knows, live and learn. Good luck! Bonnie
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I haven't had roses long either, but I think it is fairly easy to see where to prune in the spring. Wait to do it after your last frost which should be around March or April. It is a signal for your rose to start growing again so wait until you are sure it is safe. Now, when you look at your rose this spring you will see brown ends on the canes. That is dead wood, and you will cut all of that out. Make your first cut just below the brown wood into the green part of the cane. If you don't see any green cane then prune down to the soil. If the green cane is all white inside like an apple, it is good wood. If the inside is brown then you need to prune further down. Watch for dark areas on the green canes. That is canker and you need to prune below any canker you see. Once you have finished pruning seal all the cuts with something. I use regular white glue, but you can use carpenter's glue or nail polish. That will keep out borers which would otherwise lay their eggs inside the cut end of the cane. Feel free to stop by the rose forum for more advice. I post there quite often and everyone is very helpful.
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You cant always count on the same plant, planted far from one another, to react to growth habit the same way. Like children, each has it's own way. The soil is/likely not of the same structure and therefore, takes up moisture in a different way. Cultivation should be done shallow...to not bother the roots. Instead of fertilizing in a hit and miss way, try to feed the plants on a scheduled program....every 2 weeks with a water soluble type, or as the label directs with a granular type. Work in with your hands....you can usually feel the soil at the plant's base and tell if it needs water. Roses....its the old story---do not like wet feet...they don't appreciate heavy watering; rather regular watering is better with good drainage. If you feel you have damaged areas, cut that back to good growth to an outward facing bud. Any damaged stems cut it out. Don't leave damaged or weak canes to spread whatever is causing a problem. Keep watering to mid morning or late afternoon to let the sun dry them. Spray only the leaves and/or the soil at the base of the plant. Spray can be a general purpose one or one designed for specific rose problems and that can be done too on a regular basis and not wait for a problem before you get to it
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I suggest 'Seafoam', it is hardy to 4b, and it is also rated as Earthkind, which means it is a very disease resistant rose where it was tested in Texas. It has re-bloom similar to Florabunda class roses. and its' foliage is dark green and very pretty. In Northern California 'Seafoam' grows to be 3 and 1/2 by 4 and 1/2 to 5 feet wide. I would expect it to be a bit smaller in your climate. helpmefind.com has photos. I do love the flowers, of 'Blanc de Courbet' but not the plant as much as Seafoam, because Blanc has wicked thorns that have ripped the skin off of the top of my hand when I was picking a bloom. Also, the 4-5 plants of B de C, I've seen have each been somewhat gangly. Lux.
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anntn6b
10 years ago
You probably didn't kill them, but you didn't do them any favors,either.

Somehow, some folks in Tennessee have decided that roses are the same plants as other shrubs. This leads to some who severe prune as early as late September and again in November. This sort of thing takes strength away from the plants.

Roses don't want to go dormant here. If you cut them in fall, they'll put out new growth in two to four weeks, even though it's not yet winter. That growth will probably be killed in late December, and that earlier cutting will have taken away the stored 'strength' that would go to regrow the plant in spring.

I've watched some Knockout that have been pruned three times this fall. I don't know what the heck the grounds crew thinks they are doing, much less why.

What you should have done (in my opinion) was go through and snip off broken canes. Then in late December go in and prune back for height, depending on how high you want them to be next year.

The winter killed new growth that you are going to get, you'll see it contorted and blackened, you can snip it off in winter as well.
seil zone 6b MI
10 years ago
What Michael said! But you probably didn't kill your KOs. they're pretty tough. They may take longer next spring to come back and bloom but they will eventually. Next time tell your neighbor that roses should never be pruned in the late fall in cold regions. They store their energy to come back with in the spring in those canes. And I never prune down that low unless I have to because of winter die back. Usually down to 12 to 18 inches is sufficient.
henry_kuska
10 years ago
There is always a positive side. Severe prunning is one of the "new" recommendations if one is threatened by Rose Rosette Virus. It removes the overwintering "homes" of the mites.
kittymoonbeam
10 years ago
give them extra food and TLC next spring. Don't be angry with yourself for this
jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6
10 years ago
People do that all the time here without to many problems besides them growing back slowly the following season.

But it is a bad practice for sure and one I do not personally follow...
So I agree with what Michaelg and others have said.
joshtx
10 years ago
My parents have the mow and blow guys whack the ever loving heck outta our Knockouts each year. They always rebound with a vengeance. Knockouts are extremely hard to kill. I wouldn't repeat the procedure, but I seriously doubt they'll kick the bucket.

Josh

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