Buzz
For rose growers and enthusiasts, few things are more heartbreaking than seeing a cherished rose bush on the verge of death. Before uprooting and discarding this delicate plant, you can take several steps to restore its former glory, provided the bush isn’t entirely dead. Regular care of the surrounding area, pruning, watering, and periodic fertilization are essential. With dedicated attention, you might just save your rose bush.
Steps
Remove weeds and dead parts of the plant
Scrape the bark on a rose stem to confirm the plant isn’t completely dead. Cut a stem close to the base of the rose bush, then carefully scrape off the outer bark. If you see green underneath, your rose bush is still alive and can recover. If the layer beneath the bark is brown, the plant is dead, and you’ll need to plant a new rose bush.
- Snap a few stems on the rose bush. If they break easily, the bush is likely dead. If the stems are still flexible, there’s a chance the plant can survive.
Clear away dead flowers and leaves around the bush. Dead flowers and fallen leaves can cause the rose bush to become diseased. Remove wilted petals and dead leaves around the rose bush, and discard or compost them.
- Avoid composting diseased plants due to the risk of spreading pathogens to other plants.
- Fallen leaves and flowers are common during autumn.
Remove all weeds around the rose bush. Weeds and other plants growing near the rose bush can deplete soil nutrients, weakening the rose bush due to lack of nourishment. Pull out any visible weeds by hand or dig them up using a garden trowel.
- Consider using mulch to prevent new weeds from growing in your garden or yard.
- Ensure no weed roots are left behind, as they can regrow.
Remove dead or diseased flowers. Spots or discoloration on flowers and leaves are signs of disease or decay. You can pluck dead flowers and leaves by hand or trim them with pruning shears. Leaving dead or diseased flowers and leaves on the plant can spread the issue to the rest of the bush.
- Common rose diseases include black spot, powdery mildew, and fungal canker.
Prune the rose bush
Prune the rose bush after the last frost. Trim the rose bush as the weather warms up – typically right after the last frost to prevent cold damage. During this time, new buds begin to emerge.
- Determine the timing of the last frost using the Old Farmer's Almanac website. Enter your zip code at https://www.almanac.com/gardening/frostdates.
- Look for signs of new growth, such as red-tinted buds.
- For most gardeners, this means pruning in early spring.
- Trimming dead and excess branches promotes healthier growth for the rose bush.
Use sharp and sterilized pruning shears. Wipe the shears with ethanol or isopropyl alcohol to disinfect them before starting. This step helps prevent the spread of disease to the plant.
- Ensure the pruning shears are sharp; otherwise, you risk damaging the rose bush.
Cut branches at a 45-degree angle above an outward-facing bud. Make the cut just above a bud or thorn that is growing outward. Avoid straight cuts and instead angle them at 45 degrees to promote faster healing and prevent water from pooling on the cut surface.
Remove dead or diseased branches. Trim all dead or unhealthy-looking branches to prevent the spread of disease to the rest of the plant. Cut these branches close to the base. Diseased branches often show signs like spots, wilting, or decay.
- Dead or diseased branches can be identified by dead leaves and a “woody” appearance, often dry and brown.
- When cut, the inner core of dead branches will appear brown instead of green.
Trim crossing and outward-growing branches. Prune branches that cross each other or grow outward. Thinning out surrounding branches allows more sunlight to reach the plant. A healthy, thriving rose bush typically has 4-7 upright branches.
Prune the top of the bush to a height of 45 cm. Trim the top of the bush in early spring. This encourages new growth and blooming in the upcoming season. Cut back all tall branches so the bush stands about 45 cm tall.
Fertilizing Rose Bushes
Choose the Right Fertilizer. Opt for a balanced 10-10-10 granular or liquid fertilizer. This type of fertilizer will replenish soil nutrients and should be applied every 4 weeks during the growing season or at the start of spring.
- You can also create your own plant nutrient mix by combining 1 cup (240 ml) of bone meal or superphosphate, 1 cup (240 ml) of cottonseed meal, ½ cup (120 ml) of blood meal, ½ cup (120 ml) of fish meal, and ½ cup (120 ml) of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate).
- Look for specialized rose fertilizers at garden centers. These fertilizers are formulated to meet the specific mineral and nutrient needs of rose plants.
Water the Soil Before and After Fertilizing. Use a garden hose to thoroughly water the soil before applying fertilizer. This helps prevent the fertilizer from burning the plants.
Apply Fertilizer to the Base of the Plant as Directed on the Package. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the rose bush, extending to the outer edge of the planting area. Apply it around the base but avoid direct contact with the main stems.
- Leaves can burn and wilt if they come into direct contact with fertilizer.
Start Fertilizing When New Buds Appear. Most gardeners fertilize rose bushes in early spring; however, if you notice new buds forming, you can begin fertilizing, even if it’s slightly early. Your rose bushes will require more nutrients as they grow and bud.
- During the peak growing season, fertilize every 4-6 weeks.
Mulching and Watering Rose Bushes
Spread a 1-2 inch layer of mulch around the rose bush. You can purchase organic or inorganic mulch online or at gardening stores. Distribute the mulch evenly around the bush, leaving a 1-inch gap around the base.
- Avoid piling mulch directly against the stem.
- Mulch helps retain soil moisture and prevents weed growth.
- Organic mulch options include wood chips, straw, grass clippings, and leaves.
- Inorganic mulch options include gravel, stones, and glass.
- Replace or add organic mulch annually at the start of summer.
Use cardboard mulch if weeds are a persistent issue. Cardboard mulch can effectively control weed infestations. Lay it over the entire planting area and add another layer of mulch on top. This blocks sunlight from reaching weed seeds, preventing germination.
Water rose bushes when the soil is dry. Thoroughly soak the soil if there’s no weekly rainfall in your area or if the roses are potted. Ensure the top 2-3 inches of soil are moist. Test by inserting your finger into the soil; if it feels dry, watering is needed.
- Rose bushes will wilt and dry out without adequate watering.
Water plants early in the morning or after sunset. Watering during midday sun can leave droplets on the plants, which may cause issues. Additionally, water evaporates quickly and won’t penetrate the soil effectively.
What You'll Need
- Pruning shears
- Trowel or shovel
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Fertilizer
- Mulch
