Just saw this, Sheila. Around three years ago I was lying under Marie van Houtte and removing dead wood. To my horror, I found I'd cut a cane that was 6' high, newish and very healthy. It still hasn't sent up another one like it. You may, or may not forgive yourself in time!

Sheila, can you root some of what you broke off?

You are right Trish. You cannot blame the plant for getting depressed after our bad behavior. Clematis are another one it is hard to sort out sometimes. I am hoping to avoid this behavior in the future because I've heard Teas are so sensitive. I do see some damaged canes on roses in Spring mostly when leaves are dropped or stripped, and the cane has canker or sunburn and/or flat head apple borer like damage. The canes can look horrible, yet seem to be budding out. I am not sure what to do sometimes. I understand if the rose is a Tea it is safer to leave wood that isn't dead. On other roses like ramblers or HMusks I'm cutting off some canes and leaving others probably randomly. Of course, if the limb withers and fades I cut it off. It's the canes that look so bad, but are still supporting growth that looks normal that puzzle me.

Virginia, I just twisted/tore off a cane of Francois Juranville yesterday and I did dip it in rooting hormone and stick the cane in a pot. The new basal from Archduke Charles was a thick clearly marvelous crisp new tissue that was too soft to root sadly. Or at least I thought it was, so I composted it. I did read about razoring off crown cuttings from Delphinium and these rooting, so maybe I should have tried but I thought it was too soft.

Argh! I hate those moments. I usually have to take many, many deep breaths and meditate my way back to equilibrium. On the up side, you're way ahead of me in your spring garden work! I won't be snapping delicate new growth on my most treasured and vulnerable roses until this weekend. :-). Carol

I agree with Virginia. One doesn't get to be around as long as the Archduke without surviving a few pruning mishaps. :)

Today I attempted to move an Abrahm Darby and am worried that I've killed it by mangling the roots (unintentionally -- I need a bigger shovel!) Tis the season for rose accidents, apparently.

Sheila, you're so funny. You really don't think I've done that? I wish I could live up to your good opinion of me but, other than not using any poisons in the garden, I've blundered my way through every other screw-up you can imagine. It just goes to show that roses are actually very forgiving plants. I'm sure your rose will throw out another new cane as quickly as possible.

o I hate it when I do stuff like that too, and something of the sort seems to happen every year...

I hate when I do it too Shelia. As careful as we are though, it does happen. It will bounce back fine I'm sure.

I still don't really believe you Ingrid. You are all so kind. Here's hoping AC can cope.