Each gardener with many years of practice develops his own methods of protecting roses from winter cold - the period when the plant enters the sleep phase. Important points are hardening of roses, as well as an understanding of when to cut roses. If your beautiful bush pleases with healthy foliage, the absence of diseases, pests - then you really cared for your plant, and it has accumulated a large supply of carbohydrates. It is they who give the rose the main strength to bear the absence of sunlight and the cold itself.
When frosts come to -8 degrees Celsius, the plant loses moisture, and all carbohydrates are converted into fats and sugars, which protect against freezing. And it is extremely important for roses to go through this stage in order for their protective internal mechanism to start working before the bushes are wrapped up in real frost.
Pruning a plant in summer: consequences
If in the summer you often had to cut long and leafy shoots, then the rose is weakened. It will be difficult to transfer the winter to plants that are planted in a draft or in the shade, since the entire process of accumulation of the necessary carbohydrates is slowed down. Nevertheless, the weather can ruin the preparation of roses with its unexpected thaw, which suddenly can occur after long severe frosts. At such moments, the flower will begin to grow and spend all the accumulated carbohydrates, and with the onset of repeated cold weather the chances of survival become very small.
Do I need to cut roses for the winter?
Pruning roses depends on the species. All procedures with the preparation of the bush for winter raise the question of whether to cut roses for the winter. These works are carried out in the fall in order to prepare the flowers for shelter. But many species do not need pruning: such as a park rose and numerous hybrids, tolerate cold without shelter.
So, when to cut roses for the winter and how to do it, it depends only on their type. Large-flowered roses and shrubby roses that bloom repeatedly are shortened by 1/3 of the shoots grown over the summer. Climbing small-flowered roses do not prune, but simply pinch the growth point, the procedure is done in the first ten days of September. Thus, the answer to the question of whether to cut roses for the winter is clear: the characteristics of different plant species must be taken into account. Miniature, polyanthus, tea-hybrid and floribunda cut only half. Also, do not forget about the cliff of the leaves, but if you did not do this in advance, then you can do everything before shelter. Leaves must be removed necessarily, since with them the bush will continue its vital activity - to release moisture and breathe.
The presence of moisture can lead to the process of decay of leaves, stems, resulting in an excellent source of fungal diseases. In order not to spread diseases and pests, all cut leaves must be removed and burned. To strengthen the bushes can be treated with a 3% solution of Bordeaux fluid.
Before wrapping up, also all shoots that you think are weak or that look sick should be removed, since they are unlikely to survive the winter and can cause infection of the entire bush. Do I need to cut roses for the winter? After reading the above tips, everyone can make a conclusion for themselves and do the right thing.