IN THIS ISSUE

Getting Started 

When and Why to Prune

      A good starting point for pruning any plant is to remove dead, diseased, or damaged stems as soon as you see them. Dead stems attract insects and invite diseases to develop.

    Also remove crossing branches, water sprouts (vigorous upright growing shoots that form on trunks or side branches), and suckers (vigorous shoots that develop near or from below ground).

Pruning Tools
  There is an assortment of hand pruners, bypass pruners, loppers and sheers on the market these days, all with their own attributes. In all cases, the maintenance of good quality tools is important, as is using the right sized tool for the job.

  If in doubt as to which tool to use, please ask your garden center staff for guidance.

Roses
   Treat climbers and old garden roses that bloom only once per year the same as other spring-blooming shrubs: Pruning after they finish blooming.
 
   Repeat bloomers, including hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, miniatures, and modern shrub roses are pruned mostly to shape the plant or to remove winter-damaged canes. If they become overgrown, cut them back in early spring.


Look for our Next Newsletter about. More tips about pruning and Edible Plants.  

• Keep Roses out of direct sunlight. Allow only indirect or filtered light.
• Keep Roses out of drafts from cooling and heating systems, this can shock them.
• Heat, above 78 degrees, will cause rose to drink rapidly and open up fast.
• High heat, above 85 degrees, can cause roses to drop causing wilted outer petals.
• Exercise caution when transporting Roses from the office to home it's difficult.
• Do not lock them in your hot car while you shop on the way home.

About Roses

When You Get the Roses Indoor. 

• Step 1: Re-cut the stems. Use a sharp knife and cut at a 45-degree angle, so there will be maximum surface area for the stems to drink water through. Some florists' advice re-cutting the stems underwater. Try this technique, or buy an inexpensive gadget, called an "underwater stem cutter". This is a jar with a lid that has a hole to insert the stem into for slicing, and a sharp cutting knife.

  STEP 2: To improve the vase life of cut roses and to keep the roses fresh longer, immerse their stems in warm water immediately after cutting.

  STEP 3: Strip off any leaves that would otherwise be immersed in the vase water.

  STEP 4: Put the re-cut stems back into a bucket or jar of water as you go. Let them stand for several hours or overnight, so that they can draw up plenty of water.

  STEP 5: Add a packet of flower preservative. To increase the life of your cut roses, fill the vase with a solution of one-half can of lemon lime soda and one half water. A few drops of bleach will help keep the water clear and fresh.

  STEP 6: Change the water-soda solution daily. Don't display the bouquet in a hot room or in direct sunlight.

  STEP 7: Make a habit of moving the flower vases to a cooler spot, even the refrigerator, each night to keep roses fresh as long as possible.

  STEP 8: Most garden roses make excellent cut flowers, especially hybrid teas, such as "Sheer Bliss' rose, a popular choice for floral arrangements and wedding bouquets.
  
  

  Roses

  
  Look for our Next Newsletter about. More tip abut pruning and Edible Plants.