How to Promote New Growth on Rose Bushes

Pruning roses is the best way to promote healthy growth and bigger, more impressive flower heads. When a rose bush is cluttered with too many dead blooms, branches and leaves, less sunlight reaches the interior of the bush. Dead matter also encourages incest infestation and disease, so pruning is necessary for a healthy rose plant. Pruning should be done in the spring. However, if you live in a year-round warm climate, you may choose to prune in the fall.

Gardening shears
White wood glue

Instructions

- 1
  Snip off dead or wilting flower heads. Always cut at a 45-degree angle.
- 2
  Cut off any dead branches and leaves.
- 3
  Snip any rosebuds that face inward toward the plant. Inward-facing buds will eventually die from a lack of sunlight, and pruning them will encourage more outward-facing flowers.
- 4
  Cut off any branches or stems that are thinner than a pencil. This will encourage the growth of larger, thicker branches and stems, making for a fuller, more attractive rose bush.
- 5
  Deposit a dot of white wood glue onto any areas you've cut. This will help the plant heal while sealing out any incests or diseases.
- 6
  Dispose of all the dead matter you've cut off the rose bush. Do not leave it there to decompose, as it will end up attracting incests and parasites.

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