| Pruning essential for rose bush longevity
February is the month when most modern roses need to be pruned. Even if your roses have already begun growth, the time has come to prune. Annual heavy pruning is essential to ensure the prolific bloom and long life of a rose bush.Explaining the concept of rose pruning without a live bush to demonstrate on is difficult, so let your mind loose to help visualize the following steps in rose pruning:Pruning of roses is actually done year round. Every time you cut off old blooms and remove twiggy growth, you are actually promoting new growth. There are two times a year when you prune more seriously, spring and fall.You will need the following items: a good pair of hand pruners (preferably the scissor type, not anvil type), a sharp keyhole saw and large loppers, a heavy pair of leather gloves, a pruning compound and a dull knife.The first step in spring pruning of hybrid teas, grandifloras, floribundas and climbing roses is to remove any canes that are dead or just old and non-productive.
With proper care, blooms will last a while
Add a packet of commercial flower food to feed the blooms and discourage bacterial buildup. Or add a pinch of sugar and a few drops of bleach. Remove foliage that would be underwater; this also discourages bacteria. (To avoid stains, carefully remove pollen-covered lily stamens.) Recut stems at an angle to ensure water uptake. Immediately place them in the vase. Display your flowers in a cool spot. Avoid direct sunlight and heating or cooling vents, a killer for tulips. Add water as needed; change when cloudy. Remove wilting flowers. The ethylene they give off may cause other flowers to wilt. Irises are among the first to go. And don't be alarmed if tulips snake, bend and continue perhaps like your love to grow.
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