How to Cut Back Knock Out Roses

In order to grow Knock Out roses, you have to cut them back, also known as "pruning." Pruning roses is essential to having beautiful, healthy roses with large, impressive flower heads. Pruning clears out dead blooms, branches and leaves which can encourage insect infestation and disease. It also allows sunlight to reach deeper into the rose bush. Pruning should generally be done in the spring, but can also be done in the fall in regions that are warm year-round.

Pruning shears
White wood glue

Instructions

- 1
  Identify which blooms, leaves and stems are dead. Dead stems will have a brownish or black color, while living stems are green.
- 2
  Cut dead stems at a 45-degree angle with one clean, swift cut of your pruning shears.
- 3
  Snip stems or branches that are thinner than a pencil. This will prompt the growth of thicker stems and branches which make for a more voluminous, more attractive rose bush.
- 4
  Cut any rose buds that face inward toward the plant. These buds will die from a lack of sunlight, anyway, so remove them to encourage outward-facing blooms.
- 5
  Cut away dead and wilting blooms.
- 6
  Remove all the leaves, blooms, stems and branches you've cut and dispose of them.
- 7
  Apply a dab of white wood glue onto the places you've cut. This will create a seal, keeping out insects and parasites. This isn't necessary, but a good preventative step.

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