Search and Access Archived Conference Presentations

The 2012 ASHS Annual Conference

10284:
Effect of Pruning Severity on Flowering of Landscape Roses

Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Grand Ballroom
A. James Downer, University of California Cooperative Extension, Ventura, CA
John F. Karlik, PhD, Univ of California Coop Extn, University of California Coop. Extn., Bakersfield, CA
Anna D. Howell, MS, Cooperative Extension, UC Extension, Ventura, CA
Roses planted in landscapes are a common feature in California.  The severity of pruning has anecdotally been linked to flower production and flower quality but there are few reports of landscape-based research.  We established a blocked trial with over 500 roses of 8 varieties.  There were four pruning treatments: unpruned; pruned to a height of 0.91 m and 5 primocanes; pruned to 0.46 m and four canes; and pruned to 0.15 and three canes.  Flower quality and stem length were unaffected by pruning treatment.  Quantity of flower production was greatest in unpruned roses.  There were few differences between moderate pruning severity treatments (0.91 and 0.46 height treatments).