The rose is the queen of flowers. In almost all colors and shades, their flowers make our hearts beat faster. But at some point the blossoms are over and withered rose blossoms "populate" the plant. Faded flowers can and even have to be cut off so that the rose develops new flowers. How best to cut wilted and dried flowers depends on the rose. Because every type of rose needs its own special cut.
Why cut?
Withered leaves must be cut off so that the plant blooms more often or profusely next summer. If faded flowers are not cut off, the rose will age. It loses its willingness to bloom and vitality. In this way, the plant no longer develops new shoots in the lower area. As a result, it comes to glaring. However, faded flowers continue to be supplied with nutrients by the rose. As a result, she unnecessarily wastes energy in seed formation. This limits the development of new flowers and growth.
At the same time, the cut also serves the health of the plant. Leaving it to its own devices weakens the rose. The risk of pathogens penetrating the plant is all the greater.
A good reason last: Dried flowers don't look particularly pretty.
- start the cut about half a centimeter above the first, complete leaf
- Cut off faded flowers at an angle to allow rainwater to run off better at the cut
- cut away from an already visible eye on the branch
- Perform pruning on rain-free, warm days
In order for the shoot to grow in the right direction, it should be noted that the first complete leaf is the one that points outwards. If the shoot with the withered rose petals is very thin, it can be removed completely. To do this, it is cut away up to the base.
Make sure you cut the rose correctly, this varies depending on the variety. A wrong cut not only costs the plant unnecessary strength, but it can also quickly be attacked by fungi and bacteria.
Wild roses are not cut. They just have to be wiped out. With roses that are supposed to develop rosehips, faded blooms must not be removed, unless you deliberately do without the bright red of the rosehips from late summer. Under no circumstances should you tear off or break faded shoots. Both promote infection with pathogens. In addition, breaking off leads to the budding of small buds. And the rose then bears smaller flowers.
Cut back in autumn
Roses are usually pruned in spring. However, a rose should also be pruned in autumn. The autumn cut serves to cut off the last flowers and thin shoots. This pruning protects the plant from pathogens that can easily enter the rose via the last blooms and thin shoots after summer. It is important that the autumn pruning is not carried out too radically, otherwise no spring pruning can take place after the winter. Since this serves to rejuvenate and shape the rose, it must be carried out in any case.
When pruning in the fall, leave the more than three to five eyes on each shoot. It is therefore not carried out as radically as the spring cut. The autumn pruning is not necessary if the rose no longer bears any flowers or if there are no thin shoots. Once-blooming roses are only cut in summer anyway.
tool
When pruning roses, you need the right tool. In order not to injure the rose unnecessarily, it is necessary to make smooth and precise cuts.
- Use pruning shears or rosettes
- Disinfect blades before cutting
- sharpen blunt scissors
Pruning climbing roses
Pruning climbing roses with extended rose shears
Also make sure that the shoot is not crushed. If the scissors are found to be too dull, stop the cut and sharpen the scissors. It is best to cut off the shoot directly below the bruised areas.
Gardening gloves should always be worn when cutting roses. Injuries from the spikes can cause nasty infections. In addition, you can attack the rose branches better. It is ideal if you hold the scissors in one hand and the shoot to be cut in the other.
varieties of roses
One-time blooming varieties of roses
Once-blooming varieties bloom only on the previous and perennial shoots. They are cut back in the summer after flowering. After cutting, the plant develops new shoots that will bear the flowers next year.
In the case of shrub roses that bloom once, the faded shoots are cut back to the normal height of the shrub. Lateral shoots can definitely be pruned more. The aim is to give the rose a nice round shape again.
Varieties of roses that bloom more often
For roses that bloom more often, withered leaves are cut off until the next fully developed leaf. A complete leaf consists of five to nine leaves on a shoot. The rose develops a one- to three-part leaf directly under the flowers. This is not fully developed and is cut off together with the dried rose petals. After this pruning, the rose will start blooming again after a few weeks.
To prevent bacteria and fungi from getting into the rose via the wilted blossoms, you should remove wilted flowers immediately. This requires a bit more effort, but pathogens have fewer chances on the plant.
Perennial rose varieties
Perennial varieties show the gardener where to cut. As soon as the flowers have withered, they will sprout again. The faded stems are cut off just above the new shoot. If the cut is made deeper, the rose will sprout again. In this case, however, it takes longer to flower.
Ground cover and bed roses
Ground cover and bed roses can be cut as a whole after the first flowering. With these strains, you don't have to remove every single flower at once. Shorten the plants by about 15 centimeters. With this pruning, there is no need to pay attention to the leaf or the eyes.