I didn't cut the hips off my rose bush last year. Now they have turned brown (including the stem ). Can I just cut them off now, even though some buds are about to bloom? Also, I had a climbing rose bush in a flower pot and it has buds about to bloom, I just placed it in a wine barrell without disturbing the root. Think it will be okay?

Please help me. I want to thank you in advance for your time.