THE ROSE GARDEN

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 21, 25 January 1934, Page 18

THE ROSE GARDEN

SUMMER PRUNING

"There is no doubt that judicious summer pruning' greatly increases the size and quality of our autumn blooms, yet imany years'- experience and keen observation 'have taught me that this operation does not confer any benefits on the plants themselves, but may cause serious damage if, not properly done," says B. V. Eossi, in "Modern Rose's in Australasia." ."In my early days I used the knife pretty freely,; now, the older I grow the less I cut, and the advice I earnestly give to inexperienced growers is to spare tho knife when summer pruning. '

"Summer pruning should bo considered more in the nature of a general overhaul than actual pruning. At this operation dead wood may bo removed right at the base. Dying shoots —easily- recognised, by their black tops fading downward into yellow and sickly green—should also be removed unless they have healthy laterals growing bol,low the affected part, in which case they should only be cut to the highest good lateral on the stem. This will also make winter pruning easier. If 1 the roses are in a fit condition to be- summer pruned they will readily break into growth at tho cut-back. The pruning will not harm the plants, the autumn blooms will' be far finer and tho flowering period much increased. But if the roses have been starved during summer they will not respond to the treatment.,. Tho -enforced dor; mancy may either prolong till the- following spring, or their awakening may be so late.that tho buds will'be spoiled by the winter cold or'frost.

"It is therefore of paramount importance that the .roses should bo encouraged to grow naturally right through the summer to secure a good harvest in autumn. By this, however, I do not imply that the plants should bo unduly forced. At tho end of January or the .beginning, of February the rose beds should receive a thorough soaking, followed by another one, ten days later. These waterings-will put new life into the plants and make them ready for summer-pruning. Meanwhile they should also receive a good dusting of sulphur as a preventive of mildew. "Now, I divide growers into exhibi-

tors and non-exhibitors. The latter, not caring much at what time they get their autumn blooms, may do the woik between February 13 and 20. Tho only cutting the plants want at this timo is to prune about midway and above a good eye all stems that''have flowered during the previous summer; allow any Stems with buds on to flower first, then repeat the' operation up to Fcbruarv 22. All foliage must'be left on tho plants." ' ' ,