Some of that old wood with no green stems is very thick so you may need to buy or borrow a pruning saw and some loppers to cut it out. Leave any green stems with foliage on as they will be feeding the roots that will, as I said earlier, appreciate some bonemeal and a mulch for winter health.
You will be left with a rose that looks thin and bare but will have healthy stems and roots ready for normal pruning and feeding next spring. You can also take cuttings form the existing green stems next spring as insurance just in case but it should respond well to the TLC and become a very healthy, floriferous rose over the next couple of years.
Last edited: 04 September 2016 10:52:44
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Use a few ripe stems as hardwood cuttings when you prune it. You can just stick them into free draining soil where you want them. Around 50%take for me like that. The beauty is, they are on their own roots, so do not sucker.
Posts
Thanks hortico. Your precise instructions are much appreciated.
Some of that old wood with no green stems is very thick so you may need to buy or borrow a pruning saw and some loppers to cut it out. Leave any green stems with foliage on as they will be feeding the roots that will, as I said earlier, appreciate some bonemeal and a mulch for winter health.
You will be left with a rose that looks thin and bare but will have healthy stems and roots ready for normal pruning and feeding next spring. You can also take cuttings form the existing green stems next spring as insurance just in case but it should respond well to the TLC and become a very healthy, floriferous rose over the next couple of years.
Last edited: 04 September 2016 10:52:44
Thanks obelixx. I've got the tools and the motivation
Use a few ripe stems as hardwood cuttings when you prune it. You can just stick them into free draining soil where you want them. Around 50%take for me like that. The beauty is, they are on their own roots, so do not sucker.
Will try soft and hard wood. I've never tried it before as I suspect most of my other roses are grafted. I definitely want to try with my rosa glauca.