Yes, yes, everything that he said. Remember that most gardening books are written for the bulk of the country where they have winters and severe freezing weather and lots of winter die back. I used to joke that rose pruning in Minnesota was simply cutting off everything that died over the winter, hence back to 6-12 inches. I know you have more winter than we do, but I doubt you get much die back.
Here in SJ, current rose pruning wisdom is to be much milder. Some rosarians recommend merely cutting back 1/3 to 2/3 of the previous year's growth. Mind, that's not total growth, just the previous year's growth. In other words, you're letting the bush get a little larger every year.
My Mr. Lincoln has told me in no uncertain terms that it wants to be 6' tall. If I cut it down to 2', it'll be 6' by the end of the season. If I cut it down to 4-5', it'll be 6'. That's where it likes to be. Ditto Tropicana, Sheer Bliss, Perfume Delight, Melody Parfume, etc.
Best thing for black spot: shovel prune susceptible varieties, replant with resistant varieties. Really. Choose the battles you want to fight. Replacing a rose once is far easier than spraying all season long, year after year. Plant life is not sacred. If it gives you grief, get rid of it. It sounds pretty harsh, and it does depend on your goals. If you want a garden to fuss over, go ahead, keep fussy plants. I have no patience with them. The alternative, of course, is to simply tolerate the problem. I don't even notice rust on roses anymore. Black spot is more devastating, I grant.
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Date: 2008-02-17 06:12 am (UTC)Here in SJ, current rose pruning wisdom is to be much milder. Some rosarians recommend merely cutting back 1/3 to 2/3 of the previous year's growth. Mind, that's not total growth, just the previous year's growth. In other words, you're letting the bush get a little larger every year.
My Mr. Lincoln has told me in no uncertain terms that it wants to be 6' tall. If I cut it down to 2', it'll be 6' by the end of the season. If I cut it down to 4-5', it'll be 6'. That's where it likes to be. Ditto Tropicana, Sheer Bliss, Perfume Delight, Melody Parfume, etc.
Best thing for black spot: shovel prune susceptible varieties, replant with resistant varieties. Really. Choose the battles you want to fight. Replacing a rose once is far easier than spraying all season long, year after year. Plant life is not sacred. If it gives you grief, get rid of it. It sounds pretty harsh, and it does depend on your goals. If you want a garden to fuss over, go ahead, keep fussy plants. I have no patience with them. The alternative, of course, is to simply tolerate the problem. I don't even notice rust on roses anymore. Black spot is more devastating, I grant.