Question:
The bottom branches of my tree roses have extended out into the walkway. I'd like to minimize the interference by pruning them back. How far back can they be pruned?Answer:
- Tree roses are pruned just like bush roses with one exception, there is a fair amount of bending over with bush roses while you’ll remain upright with a tree rose.
- The first thing you need to do is locate the bud union. The bud union is the location where the named rose variety is attached or budded onto a rootstock. With tree roses, you’ll have several bud unions.
- The first one is near the ground while the second one-forms the straight stem and resembles a broomstick. The desired variety is budded three to four feet off the ground at the top of the bud.
- You must identify this point before pruning to avoid cutting off the valuable and irreplaceable portion of the rose.
- The shoots that develop below the bud unions should be removed periodically throughout the year, as it is sucker or rogue growth. This growth is typical with all budded roses.
- The first thing you need to do is locate the bud union. The bud union is the location where the named rose variety is attached or budded onto a rootstock. With tree roses, you’ll have several bud unions.
- With the intruding lower branches, it’s a judgment call on your part as far as how far back to prune them. It can be twelve inches to several feet depending on the situation.
- Usually, roses are pruned to an outside bud, so the new canes or growth form a circle that grows away from the center of the bush.
- In this case, you deviate from that and select those buds that’ll grow laterally to either the left or right. You'll find the growth buds where a leaf is or has been attached to a stem and is usually a red color.
- You continue to repeat this throughout the year when you remove the spent flowers.
- It might be helpful to take a few digital pictures before and after. These images allow you review what you did so you can repeat or modify things in the future.
Question:
How would I go about dividing my Artichoke plant? I planted one several years ago and its massive now.Answer:
- Dividing an Artichoke plant is not that difficult.
- You’ll need a shovel to dig up the clump, and an ax or pruning saw to segment it.
- A mature Artichoke plant is divided into three or more parts depending on the size and replanted.
- If you can't accommodate all the plants, save the biggest and give the others away.
- Next, you amend the new planting hole(s) with generous amounts of homemade compost or soil conditioner.
- Artichokes are planted in the full sun or afternoon shade in the warm inland areas.
- The clumps are divided every three to four years to keep the production high.
- Besides planting them in the ground, Artichokes make an excellent container plant. The silver-gray foliage is a colorful backdrop on a deck, patio or balcony. You can also add Pansies, Violas, Alyssum or Marigolds for additional color.