gardening question

cruseaudio · Post by **cruseaudio** » Wednesday Feb 08, 2006

I know it is still winter but I was cleaning up my yard and I was wondering if I cut off my rose bushes down to the ground during the winter, will it kill them or will they be OK?

jreider · Post by **jreider** » Wednesday Feb 08, 2006

they *should* be OK either way, but I've seen them cut down, and covered with mulch or dead leaves to keep the severe elements off. If they are already large and fairly established, you should be good to go regardless. If they are smaller plants, you may want to cover them up. If they are really small, I've seen people put glass jars, or other protective containers over them.

cruseaudio · Post by **cruseaudio** » Wednesday Feb 08, 2006

They use to be on my old lady neighbor's side of the fence, I fixed the fence for the old bitch, and all she did was bitch about it so now fuck her, I AM trying to kill them.

YankeeRose · Post by **YankeeRose** » Wednesday Feb 08, 2006

It all depends on how healthy the Roses are. (I hope to have my beautiful Coral colored Hybrid Tea back one day...let's just say it, Lilacs and numerous Bulbs are being held hostage.) I read in a Rose care article or book once to wait to prune them until the Forsythia is blooming in the Spring...you know, the shrubs with the yellow flowers...so while you might kill them, I doubt it. If you really want the Roses dead, I suggest weed killer.

jreider · Post by **jreider** » Wednesday Feb 08, 2006

ohhhh, I misunderstood

Cut them at the base, they'll take 100 years to come back.

cruseaudio · Post by **cruseaudio** » Wednesday Feb 08, 2006

I tried cutting down into the roots last year and they only came back fuller. I have a bunch of other plants that are too close to them to use a herbicide.

Funny thing is I had a rose bush that I wanted to keep and that one died and I don't know how this other one is still living.

YankeeRose · Post by **YankeeRose** » Wednesday Feb 08, 2006

cruseaudio wrote:I tried cutting down into the roots last year and they only came back fuller. I have a bunch of other plants that are too close to them to use a herbicide.

Funny thing is I had a rose bush that I wanted to keep and that one died and I don't know how this other one is still living.

It must be an older, hardier variety...in a last ditch effort to save a diseased one, cutting down to the roots is suggested and what you described is common...they then thrive. If the one that lived is the old "c word's", what else did you expect? The rotten people in this world invariably "win", one way or another. You did your neighbor a favor and see what it got you? Figuratively stabbed in the back. You'll learn!

Post by **Ron** » Wednesday Feb 08, 2006

Roundup.

cruseaudio · Post by **cruseaudio** » Wednesday Feb 08, 2006

Thanx yankee, The "c" word applies in this case, Can"t Understand Normal Thinking sounds about right! I learned my lesson, but I learned it before the snow hit so I sat outside and watched the old bat shovel her on shit off this year. hilarious stuff. Don't even get me started on the dogs, they are the real problem.

bsaller · Post by **bsaller** » Wednesday Feb 08, 2006

cruseaudio wrote:Thanx yankee, The "c" word applies in this case, Can"t Understand Normal Thinking sounds about right! I learned my lesson, but I learned it before the snow hit so I sat outside and watched the old bat shovel her on shit off this year. hilarious stuff. Don't even get me started on the dogs, they are the real problem.

C'mon let's hear about the dogs!
PS check your cell phone

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Wednesday Feb 08, 2006

jreider wrote:they *should* be OK either way, but I've seen them cut down, and covered with mulch or dead leaves to keep the severe elements off. If they are already large and fairly established, you should be good to go regardless. If they are smaller plants, you may want to cover them up. If they are really small, I've seen people put glass jars, or other protective containers over them.

Now I know what Coinmonster was doing on their time off...

RAM Z · Post by **RAM Z** » Wednesday Feb 08, 2006

Can't Understand Normal Thinking ! lamo

"Round Up" is prolly your best bet as Ron mentioned. It isn't Monofloral Rose is it ? If it is you'll never kill that stuff.

If my wife would hear me talk'n about kill'n a Rose bush she would freak ! l.o.l.

JayBird · Post by **JayBird** » Wednesday Feb 08, 2006

DO NOT CUT THEM DOWN THE WHOLE WAY. Roses in this area should be cut no lower than the fifth leaf shoot. If they are Hybrid Tea Roses, make sure to leave growth on them. Hybrid's are sensitive to colder climates. also, the roses should be coverd with a nice mulch - old leaves, bark mulch, saw dust. At least a foot of this mulch will keep your roses healthy and will provide shelter for the colder climates. Just a little help from your friendly landscaper...

Wait - you're trying to kill them? If it's a wild rose...you better dig the bugger up. The Tea variety can be killed from the harsh weather. A straight variety could be harder to kill. instead of digging into the roots, just dig it up. However, some roses have roots that migrate underground and will lay dormant until messed with or they may just decide to start popping up whereever they please. I'd recommend just taking the extra effort to dig up the whole thing. Also, try to constantly take a weed wacker to them. Once the main part of the rose turns to "hard wood" it's like any other plant...cut the "bark" off all around the base and it'll die.