rose pruning

February is a great time to prune rose bushes. Master Gardener David Giroux will describe how to prune roses to mprove their health, vigor, structure and appearance. David has years of great experience at the Heritage Rose Garden in San Jose, http://www.heritageroses.us, which has more than 4,000 plants and more than 3,000 different varieties of heritage, modern and miniature roses. He will also discuss rose care so come with all your rose questions! Marianne and David will bring potted roses for a hands-on pruning demonstration.

Lorrie Freeman, MG 1992

To root hardwood cuttings:

In the dormant season, it is very easy to root cuttings of your roses. Prepare a 5-gallon or larger container (with good drainage) by filling it about 2 inches with garden soil; then with construction-grade sand (large particles) fill up to 1 inch below the top of the container. Moisten well. With a stick, make 5 or 6 deep holes. Cut 10 to 12-inch pieces of the rose canes you want to propagate. Use firm wood from the middle of the cane, not the soft tops. Label the cut canes with the name of the variety; a loop of masking tape around the cane works well. Insert the cuttings into the deep holes, with at least three eyes under the sand; firm sand around cuttings. (Dipping the bottom of the cutting in a rooting hormone before planting may help.) Water well and keep moist constantly. Grow the new plants in sun or open shade. It is not necessary to cover with plastic. After three months, carefully lift each cutting out individually with a tablespoon. Plant or share extras.

Thoughts on Pruning Roses

First, have the correct tools and have them sharp: bypass clippers, lopers and a pruning saw. And protect yourself with thornproof gloves. Wear a long-sleeved jacket and strong pants like denim or material that won't snag. If doing climbers, especially, protect your eyes.

Keep in mind Austins have both modern and old garden rose 'blood', so follow local guidelines for both types as much as sensible. Also, if this is the first or second winter you're pruning, do no more than cut the spent bloom and it's one-year growth down 1/3 -- as well as cutting out dead wood, crossing canes (that will damage each other when windswept) and "frivolous" spindly and small, fussy stuff. If it's a first or second year rose that has grown out of all control (and some may do just that), you have to be more "ruthless."