Knockout roses pruning/bugs
by
Lynn
+4
I know the worst time to prune rose bushes is in the fall, but want to know what I can do, short of cutting them back to make them look presentable! We were gone for a couple weeks and the bugs chewed on them the whole time it seems! They look very scraggly and would just like to snip them down to the ground. But, I know that's not good for them in the long run. Any ideas? Thanks!
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
Pruning should not be done until late winter or early spring,so the only thing to do now is apply a systemic insect control for roses
Who said the worst time to prune them was in the Fall?? Depending on your geographical situation would determine the best time to prune, but usually late Fall is the best time to prune them back so their root system can strengthen for spring growth. Remember they only flower on new growth. I wouldn't cut back more than one third of its height, though, as you may need to prune more in the spring from winter freeze damage (if your area has it). Nancy G - NC
Pruning them now can lead to winterkill. Knockout roses are best pruned when they are just beginning to break out of dormancy, late winter, early spring.
I'd leave them be.
https://www.wikihow.com/Prune-Knockout-Roses
Late winter is best
Thank you all for the input! Sounds like I'll just have to have scraggly rose buses till spring, I guess!
the stink bugs evidently hit my knock out roses too --- not one single leaf left --- but --- I cut mine back the other day to approx. a foot from the ground up --- I don't think it matters when you cut them