When to cut back old rose bushes and when to plant new ones-So Cali

Here you go! I typically prune mine in January or February (depending on weather). Hope these help!

http://scvrs.homestead.com/monthlycare.html

http://www.pacificrosesociety.org/MonthlyRoseCare.html

Cut back rose bushes in January/February in So Cal. I used to live there and had about 80 bushes. Take them down to about the 4th eye from the bottom. Also remove any leaves from the soil and put some cow manure on them to fertilize. Once it starts warming up they will sprout new growth from the eyes and be lush and full. Also plant when the ground is warm and no frost if you are using bare root roses. Good luck and enjoy your beautiful roses.

Here in Texas, we usually cut them back around Valentines Day. You don't want the new cuttings to freeze. So wait till all danger of frost is over.

Timing is determined by the class of the rose plant and the hardiness zone in which it is being grown. Most rose pruning is done in the spring, with the blooming of the forsythia as a signal to get moving. If you don't have forsythia, watch for when the leaf buds begin to swell on your rose plants, meaning the bumps on the canes get larger and reddish in color.

You want to prune before those buds break open. This should be after the nightly hard frost has ended for your location.

Hybrid tea roses are the most particular about pruning. If you don't know what type of rose you have, watch the plant throughout the growing season. If it blooms on the new growth it sends out that season, prune while dormant or just about to break dormancy, as stated above. If it blooms early, on last year's canes, don't prune until after flowering.