skip to main content

Did I damage/kill my roses from heavy pruning at wrong time?

8 years ago

I'm a rookie rose owner/gardener, and I'm afraid I damaged or even killed my rose bushes. I'm in a warm desert climate and my first bloom just ended. I adopted the mature roses with the purchase of my home and I don't think the roses had been heavily pruned in years. So, I unknowingly heavily pruned them down to 18-24 inches. Some of them were twice that height or more before the extreme cutting. I read that this was okay, but later realized that kind of extreme pruning should only be done while they were dormant or upon early budding in January/February. Instead, I did this right after their first bloom was complete. I'm very nervous that I've severely damage or even killed them! Please tell me they'll be okay!!?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

David_ in NSW Australia z8b/9a
8 years ago
One of the things that might happen is you will get "some" blind shoots, which means fewer flowers, you have not killed them.
Buford_NE_GA_7A
8 years ago
They will come back. I usually cut back a lot after the first flush. Just keep them well watered.
Related Discussions
Yikes! Did I kill my climbing rose?!
Q
Comments (9)
Is it tougher to move a plant in a climate that has no true winters? Perhaps the plants get too big--the plants can't stand the huge reduction in size once people get around to moving them. Or does the winter reset the biological clock of a rose? A large shrub or climbing root will have a much larger root system than a Hybrid Tea, even though both are on Dr. Huey. I just dug up a Tropicana that was in the ground for perhaps 5 years. The anchor roots were pretty thick, but probably not a whole lot longer than when I first planted them. On the other hand, a big shrub can grow roots several feet long. Transplanted bushes often grow better once I've eliminated the tree root competition. I also carried off a 5 gallon pail of invasive tree roots to the compost pile. I typically move as much of the plant as I can. Even though I'm I stroke survivor who is just 5' 2", I can move a pretty big bush.
...See More
My Knockout Rose Bushes- Did I kill my rose bushes?
Q
Comments (2)
Right, don't fertilize until they have recovered and have put out plenty of leaves. Bloom Buster is the wrong kind of fertilizer--regular Miracle Gro or Miracle Gro for Roses is fine, or any reasonably balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 18-6-12. Watering correctly is the most important thing. Keep a 2" mulch of leaves or bark around the roses. When the soil under the mulch feels dry-ish, water thoroughly with 2-3 gallons for small plants or 5 gallons for larger, plus or minus for extremely hot or very mild, cloudy weather. Usually once a week is fine. For new plants, I divide the ration in half and water twice a week.
...See More
Did I screw up listing to my nieghbor?? Pruning knock out roses
Q
Comments (8)
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.
...See More
How badly did I bungle the pruning of my new dawn rose?
Q
Comments (18)
Cecily, thank you for sharing your experience! One of the reasons I chose New Dawn was because it would cover the trellis quickly. My thought was that at least I would be able to enjoy it for a few years even if I need to remove it in order to replace the a/c at some point in the future. However, I think I would be sad to see it go and since everyone seems in agreement with you that it is a bad idea to plant it in this spot, I am going to move it to the front of the house this weekend, where it can go wild over the roof of the porch. :) The question remains what to plant in it's place, though? I really would like something that will hide the a/c units from view, but I think whatever I plant I will run the same risk. I'll have to give it some thought, but if you have any suggestions, please do let me know! Thank you.
...See More
zack_lau z6 CT ARS Consulting Rosarian
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I did this as an experiment with Fragrant Lavender Simplicity, which had grown tall and lanky--it would only grow at the top. I cut it down after it had just finished blooming. It sulked for the rest of the season--didn't even put out new leaves. But, it put out leaves the next Spring and has regrown itself into a vigorous plant after a few years.
avanler
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you all for taking the time to comment! I'm relieved to hear that these beautiful flowers should be okay!
hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
8 years ago
An organic mulch several inches deep helps to keep in soil moisture and keep the soil cool, something that roses like. If your roses are not already mulched, this could make their recovery faster.
seil zone 6b MI
8 years ago
Depending on how hot it is right now for you they may sulk for a bit but will eventually decide to grow. Pruning often stimulates roses into putting out new growth. So unless they are grafted and you cut the grafts off, which it doesn't sound at all like you did, they should be just fine! Keep them watered and maybe a shot of fertilizer and you'll have new blooms in no time!
cecily
8 years ago
In a hot climate with ample water, you may need to do another moderate pruning in six months. Healthy , happy hybrid teas in a long season climate may be ten feet tall by September. The pruning advise that one generally finds in books is for cold climates -- seek out advise from hot climate rosarians and look for web sites from rose groups in southern CA or Phoenix. Good luck!

Related Stories

WINTER GARDENING Pruning Secrets for Exquisite Roses

By Annie Thornton

Encourage gorgeous blooms year after year with this time-tested advice on how to prune your rosebush in winter for health and shape

DISASTER PREP & RECOVERY Remodeling After Water Damage: Tips From a Homeowner Who Did It

By Judith Taylor Designs

Learn the crucial steps and coping mechanisms that can help when flooding strikes your home

GARDENING GUIDES Got Frost-Damaged Plants? How It Happens, and When and How to Prune

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Crispy brown leaves are a sure sign that Jack Frost has been to your neighborhood

HOUSEPLANTS 8 Houseplants You Can't Kill

By J. Peterson Garden Design

They're forgiving and let you forget. Houseplants don't get any easier than this

GARDENING GUIDES What's Wrong With My Plant? Leaves Often Hold the Clues

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Learn how to identify common plant ailments by reading their leaves

FUN HOUZZ Everything I Need to Know About Decorating I Learned from Downton Abbey

Mind your manors with these 10 decorating tips from the PBS series, returning on January 5

REMODELING GUIDES Why Marble Might Be Wrong for Your Bathroom

By By Any Design Ltd.

You love its beauty and instant high-quality appeal, but bathroom marble has its drawbacks. Here's what to know before you buy

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Sinks: Fireclay Brims With Heavy-Duty Character

By Rachel Grace

Cured at fiery temperatures, fireclay makes for farmhouse sinks that just say no to scratches and dents

FUN HOUZZ Did Elves Make a Home in a San Francisco Park?

By Vanessa Brunner

Speculation has swirled around a Lilliputian doorway in Golden Gate Park. We give you the true story — and a design dilemma

EDIBLE GARDENS Houzz Call: What Did You Grow This Summer?

By Annie Thornton

Let’s celebrate the homegrown fruits and vegetables of the season. Post your pictures and tell us about your harvest

Sponsored

Frasure Home Improvements

2 Reviews

Franklin County's Highly Skilled General Contractor

More Discussions

New 2024 varieties

61

ROSES in UK/Europe.. 2024.. Spring/Summer

949

Why? Heirloom Roses! WHY?

55

Beverly is breaking my heart

6

Rose identification - The Prince?

4