Prune out cold-damaged growth?

10 years ago

I have four Austin roses that I bought (potted) last year, overwintered in my garage, and just planted last month, as well as several 2-3 year old grandifloras and HTs. They've been leafing out like crazy and were starting to put out buds, but after repeated temperature plunges overnight, the new growth on them is suffering - looking all wilted and the leaves have darkened. I can't tell if those parts are going to recover...should I go ahead and prune out all the damaged growth to direct energy to the rest of the plant? I hate to get rid of all the flower buds, but I don't want to keep them if pruning would encourage new, healthier buds to develop.

Featured Answer

stillanntn6b

10 years ago

The problem with freeze-caused wilting is that the wilting is a result of liquids in the stems freezing and they can't heal themselves.

When they don't heal, there is the possibility (and often probability) that botrytis will come in and get established on the by-then dead parts. Botrytis is ugly, although not infectious.

To stimulate new growth (and that's really what you want to do to take advantage of maximum optimum growing conditions called 'spring') cut back to unwilted, and watch the soil to keep it moist but not wet.

Spring weather is cruel.

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Comments (7)

boncrow66
10 years ago
That's what I would do but maybe someone else will offer some different advice. I would think it would be OK to prune out the dead stuff, good luck and post some pics when they finally bloom!
hsm (7a, VA) thanked boncrow66
hsm (7a, VA)
Original Author
10 years ago
That's the thing - if the new growth were dead it would be a no-brainer, but as of right now it's not dead, just unhealthy and wilting. That's why I'm not sure what to do...see if it recovers, or get rid of it? I guess my question should have been, does cold-damaged growth ever spring back, or does it always end up dying off? :)
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jim1961 Central Pennsylvania Zone 6a
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Roses usually have 3 eyebuds so if one set of leaflets die new leaflets takes its place. Hummm... Of course if cane is damaged that needs cut off for sure... I just let nature take its course and do not cut out damaged leaflets but see what others say because maybe cutting out wilted or dead leaves is better?

I have roses 3.5ft high & wide cold weather killed/wilted a lot of leaves ...Finally got to prune yesterday I pruned them down to 18 inches (mostly because these certain ones perform best when I do that) and I still had some wilted/dead leaves on the bush so I just left the wilted leaflets on the bush and sooner or later new leaves will grow in there place... :-)
hsm (7a, VA) thanked jim1961 Central Pennsylvania Zone 6a
rosecanadian
10 years ago
Yes, spring weather is cruel!!

Make sure for any roses in pots in the spring that you keep them well watered, and cover them EVERY night that goes below freezing. You have to be a weather nut constantly looking at night time temperatures.

Personally I would cut them off.

Carol
Buford_NE_GA_7A
10 years ago
From my experience, if they don't bounce back in a few hours, the new growth is toast and it's best to cut it off until you see pith that is healthy.
seil zone 6b MI
10 years ago
If you're really unsure just wait a few days. If it's dead it will shrivel up by then. If it's not it should be perked up already. Leaving some dead growth for just a few more days won't hurt the plant but it will let you know for sure what has happened. Take note of how it looks so you'll know in the future what your looking at when it happens again.