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I would like some help about pruning roses. My Dad has handed over the care of his beloved roses to me whilst he is in hospital following a stroke. He's sorted of explained what to do but I'm not 100% certain. Can anyone explain in very simple terms please?
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What kind of roses are they Kayt? Could you also relay what he told you needed to be done, and maybe one of the grapes can translate?Whooops - now what are the dogs getting up to? -
They're not climbing roses or miniture ones. I suppose you'd call them the standard ones. He said they need to be cut down to about 3 inches and to cut by a shoot. He said something about pruning them so they grew out and not across each other but I didn't really understand what he meant. As he has no use of his left arm it's quite hard for him to explain things without using both his arms.
The veg plot I can take care of but I know he really wants to see his roses blooming! Oh the responsibility of it all
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Well the cut down to 3" should be easy to measure. On the bare stem there will be a little bud or bump, and a mark on the stem where the leaf used to be, if it has come off, or still is if it is staying put! You have to cut just above the bud, with a slightly slanting cut, not flat straight across. And you cut above a bud that faces outwards on the stem not inwards to the middle of the bush. That bud is going to be the one that shoots out and produces the next stem and flowers, so you don't want it to cross over with other shoots. If you find any that have grown this way, so that they touch or interfere with another stem, then you have to make sure it is pruned out of the way.
I always see pruning as a bit of refereeing - between competing branches! Don't worry it would be hard to kill the roses, you will be fine - and by summer he can tell you which ones to summer prune for him if you miss a few. Hope this helps.Whooops - now what are the dogs getting up to?Comment
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Whatever you do, don't say we told you. Say you did it EXACTLY how your dad told you.All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.Comment
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Thanks Jeanied. It all makes more sense now. Once the snow clears I can crack on with them.
Two Sheds - Oh I know not to say anything! What he said now makes sense to me. Fortunately the only non-edible things in his garden are roses so I should be able to take care of it until he's able to come home. Then we will see how much he can manage.
Thank you BothComment
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