A1an, I like hearing about your rose pruning experiment. what rose are you doing this with?

I’ve found that there’s variance on optimal pruning strategies and techniques depending on the rose cultivar and the effect one desires.

For example, I have a large shrub rose that will have a generous second and third flush even if i just pinch off the dead blooms. i dont have to cut to the next set of 5 leaves. However, it does pause between flushes, so this year im experimenting with a hard prune on 2/3 of the canes after the first flush to see if i get an earlier 3rd flush while size controlling…a ”Hampton Hack” if you will. if it works, then next spring i will Chelsea Chop half the canes to delay half of the 1st flush.

I have a climber that has a generous 1st flush and i must prune the laterals hard to even get a chance of a second flush. i have another rose that doesnt need dead heading at all and keeps blooming. another shrub rose i have has such vigorous canes but doesnt like being pruned so i peg the canes to control the rose shape and encourage blooms.

curious to know what others do!

Figured the answer was not universal across all roses.....For me, it's primarily Austins. I may be the odd man out, but I prefer them around 40" round max height. It's more pleasing for me in look

interesting thread. my Olivia rose shot up so much after the first flush, even with some prunning. maybe next year i just let her be? i will have go peg some of the canes as i also prefer a round and smaller bush. I think she might be close to 4.5ft, other roses are doing the same thing… will post some pics tomorrow