Why do you need to prune roses? When?

I have a small rose bush I planted that I did not prune back in the fall. Should I have pruned the bush then, or should I do it when it starts budding again? Where Should I prune, and why do you need to prune rose bushes?

I am in zone 3.

Why do you need to prune roses? When?
You can prune now, but quickly, before the buds come again. If you cut the buds off you will have no roses.

You prune roses because you get more roses, and it keeps the bush the height you want. They can get long and leggy if not pruned. You must prune with the bush looking like a cup, with any branches on the inside, or growing inward, cut off. I cut my roses back about 3/4, and they are growing fast now.

I rented my home out for ten years and came back to a mess with the roses. She had never pruned them, and so I had to dig up 15 bushes and start again. The dead branches have to be pruned out every year or so, also. You can see which they are, because they will turn greyish and look dead, even having no buds on some. You can hardly kill a rose bush, so don't be afraid to prune. Within a week or two, new shoots will appear for the leaves, and right after that, the buds.
Reply:Rose bushes need pruning for vigorous flowering. It should be done in the fall. Roses are suseptible to black mold and a plethora of insect infestations so it helps the plant's health.

My Mom used to prune hers down almost to the crown and then she covered the crown with a glass mayonnaise jar for wintering. She'd pile leaves up all around them and in the Spring and Summer they were beautiful.



I now live in Florida and we prune roses all year round taking care not to prune all the new growth at any one time. I prune the branches down to a set of five leaves and thin out the branches to force less flowers, but better blooming.
Reply:Yeah cut it back now. Usually its done in the fall, but you're still in winter so it will be fine. Cut it back hard. It will grow lots.



After blooms start to dry cut back that branch at least to the next 3-part leaf. Think about the shape of the plant.



Good prunig info on the Arizona Master Gardner site. Works in any zone.
Reply:If not budding yet, prune now remove 3/4 old growth

If budding lightly prune above buds.
Reply:You prune roses because the dying buds/blooms take in a lot of water and keep it from going throughout the rest of the blooms. You should prune the old, dying flowers and in a couple of days or so, new blooms will start to blossom and become more vibrant and radient!!..
Reply:you need to prune roses to get rid of the dead stuff so that they can get the water %26amp; nutrients to the living part of the plant plus pruning them helps them grow better because the roses aren't wasting any water or nutrients on the dead part of the plant.i always pruned mine when it started budding because then i could tell where the dead part of the plant was.
Reply:General Pruning:

You do this to remove any dead or dying canes or spent flowers. You need to pick a set of five leaves, but not necessarily the first set. Pick a set of five that are pointing outward because that will be the direction of a new cane and flowers. If you choose one pointing inward then your canes can cross and will cause other problems. Cut the cane at an angle like this (/) about 1/4" above the five leaf set. It is okay to do this with each cane and especially if the cane is dying. It is also okay to do this throughout the growing season because it promotes new growth. Also, it is important to seal any pruned cane the size of a pencil or larger with white glue to protect the wound and promote faster healing.



Autumn Pruning:

Any time between the first freeze of Autumn and the last freeze of winter you can seriously prune your rose down to about 2 feet. This will create a fuller, lusher plant for the new season. Once again you will want to cut at an angle. However, instead of cutting above a five leaf set, this time you will want to cut right above a node which will resemble a small, reddish, slightly pointed bump on the cane. Like the five leaf set, make sure the node is pointing outward.



http://www.bayeradvanced.com/article/how...

Video from Expert Village on how to prune a rose:

http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/vide...



Good Luck
Reply:I am in 6B

I prune my roses lightly every month during the summer,

and dead head every Monday-

and change the schedule depending when I have events at our facility-a golf course.

I prune them heavy in the spring -

this year I will be pruning on March 10

----I'll be kicking myself if we have a batch of freezing rain in April like last year but ..........

I cut everything that is smaller in diameter than a pencil.

By doing this I eliminate all branches that are not capable of supporting a healthy rose crop. It makes it easier to maintain them, and removes all winter kill.

but like I said I am in 6B, you are in 3 so your timing will be different.

Here are two resources for you to take a look at the first is about choosing a rose for zone three which may be helpful.



http://calstaging.bemidjistate.edu/en316...

the second is a good one about pruning roses you might find helpful http://gardening.about.com/od/rose1/a/Ro...



enjoy your roses, if you are not giving them Epsom salts I highly recommend it you will be amazed at the results.



I don't prune mine heavily in the fall because they are beautiful and we have golfers here till they freeze (the golfers).

but I clean them up and take all old flowers off before they age any.