MeMo,

I just planted some in the fall, but I have other roses that aren't k/o. They're supposed to be pretty tough plants, I would imagine once it starts to really warm up more, remove the mulch you piled up around it, and just cut any dead canes off.
I use the Bayer 3-1 for roses, I only have to apply it 3 times during the season, and my roses do great.
I'm curious to see how mine do as well.
Hope this helps.

Hey MeMo,
My KO is about three years old. From a two gallon plant, it has grown into a six foot by four foot monster. Texas, you know. Because it is so out of control, we literally took hedge clippers to it this year.

I don't have the cold you do, but I agree with primgal36, just cut off dead canes, feed, water, and enjoy.

I notice mine has quite a few branches headed into the middle, so those are taken out. Beware the wicked thorns. KO thorns are some of the worst around.

Here is a link that might be useful: Creative Soul

Thank you, Primgal and Deb. I shall do just as you both suggested. I hope they survived the cold!

MeMo

I do not officially prune KO roses. I just deadhead during the blooming season and leave the hips the rest of the time. You can certainly prune it to keep it in bounds or to stimulate more growth or bushinesss. I would not recommend pruning now, becoz in your zone 4B that would stimulate growth that could freeze. So I would just tip prune it after you frost free date. Or I would prune it back by no more than 1/3 after the frost free date if needed. I would just add compost once it starts to grow and a few times during the growing season. Sometimes I sprinkle slow release fert. pellets once growth begins.

Memo, I have double KOs, pink KO, Blushing KO, rainbow KO and the original. They have done fine in our Wisconsin winters. However, they do have a fair amount of winter die back. What I do is wait until later in spring when you can tell how much die back, if any, there was. Then trim back accordingly. Shape them at that time also if you want. Mine don't get as big as the ones in the south due to the winter die back, but for summer-long bloom they can't be beat.

Also I feed all my roses with Mill's Magic Mix. It is a little pricey, but seems to really make them do well. You might want to check out the rose forum. I learned so much about roses over there when I was planting the garden room.
Marylu

Thanks for answering LouisianaGal. Around here we go by the old adage to prune Roses when the Forsythia bloom. I have done that for years and I think it has worked well for me but thanks for the reminder to not get in too much of a hurry. Thanks for the tips!

MaryLu, right now I can't tell if there was die back or not. The bushes are still retaining last years dead leaves. I'm sure it will be apparent if and when they start to leaf out anew. I've been using Osmocote for Roses. I've only got these three roses and one other that I thought was dead last year. In Augutst it shot up a new stock and bloomed one large beautiful bloom. It pays to procrastinate. Ha! I'll look for the Mill's Magic Mix the next time I go to the city. I'm sure I won't find it around here. Thanks for the tips!

MeMo

Memo, sorry...I forgot to tell you that I have not found MMM locally either. I purchase it direct and they ship. See link below. I buy the large bucket (40 lbs) and shipping is included in the purchase price. It lasts for 1 summer for me...but that is for 150 roses!

It is still too early to tell here, but I looked at mine yesterday. They are still under more than a foot of snow but some of the canes that are sticking out of the snow look pretty black. I suspect there will be a fair amount of winter die back this year. But we too had some really cold weather. In fact we still are. Last night was down to -9 and that is very usual for March here.

Good luck,
Marylu

Here is a link that might be useful: Mills Magic Mix

MeMo, I'm glad you said prune the roses when forsythia blooms, because I just tip pruned all the hips off this past week. My KO's were on the deck in their nursury pots for the entire winter, and they started leafing out this past week. We are expecting below freezing temperatures tonight. I hope they'll be ok. I was wondering what fertilizer would be good, so this information is very timely. Thanks all. MeMo, you are one of my gardening heros. I've read many of your postings, and you have so much energy and creativity.

I hacked mine back alot last week hope they make it.. I thought Knockouts were tough anyway!!

MyOneandOnly, you are way too kind and generous. But thanks, you made me blush.

Jess, please let us know how they do after the haircut. It'll be interesting to see if they bounce back in a major way or not. Good Luck.

MeMo

Hope they live as they looked great last year!!

{{gwi:18320}}

Jess, that is so beautiful. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

MeMo

Holy Canoli! That photo is drop dead gorgeous, Jess! What zone are you in? Are those double KO Red and pink, I presume? The combination is wonderful! Dang! The yahoo BnP coop had those for a couple dollars apiece, but I had no idea what I'd do with a bunch of roses. :))

Lime