Rose Pruning Time - Again

I still grow Peace, Double Delight, Papa Meilland and some other unhealthy HT's because at fleeting moments the occasional blooms are worth waiting for. Despite my continual bashing of unhealthy roses I still have Grace and Heritage which have just passed the fungis test. I did leave Brother Cadfael, Gertrude Jekyl and Jude the Obscure thinking someone would want these only to find no one wanted to kill themselves with fungus sprays.

David you were offered these some time ago but mentioned you had these and didn't want anymore so unless I hear from you within 24 hours they are on the rubbish to be burned stack up the paddock.

Sorry Bruce I had thought I sent you an email about and yes I will take them. I will email you shortly, David.

Damo, what town do you live near ?
My Margret Merril I grew fom a cutting about 6 years ago, hasn't done much in the way of blooms.

Rose Pruning Time?? I put off pruning HT's as late as possible, just before bud swell. Reason being I don't want a lot of new early leaf growth to be burn't by late frosts.

I can still spray with Lime Sulphur as there is no new shoots at this stage.

Karen, I live near Crookwell!

Regarding pruning: I'm with Bruce for the exact same reason...frost!!! I don't touch my roses until late September at the earliest & often much later. I prune my roses very lightly though, just removing any dead wood or crossing stems!

I've done mine already... has to coincide with my holidays and I live with any damage. The damage is, however, minimal because things are so deeply asleep that they don't even look like starting to grow again till almost October.

Early on, when I first moved here, I pruned earlier & the overall damage was always pretty bad! If it were just minimal damage I think I would do the same as you Simon; I'd get it over & done with at the most convenient time!

I'll never forget my roses (hundreds of them) in full leaf, sending out water shoots & covered in buds oneday & then wilted & burnt the next morning because of a late frost! Scarred for life haha...of course this can still happen regardless of when the roses are pruned though!

For me it is when I get to them or if I get to them, if I don't so what.You lot talk about late frost try 20 acres of chardonnay grapes all with young leaves on them and a LATE frost, Oct/Nov, that was the vineyard I am in so can you amagine bigger vineyard damage. Back to roses I am thinking about doing it

Simon wrote:I've done mine already... has to coincide with my holidays and I live with any damage. The damage is, however, minimal because things are so deeply asleep that they don't even look like starting to grow again till almost October.

Ditto here which reminds me, off to cut you some Renae,