How to cover a climbing rose for the winter, pruning and preparing the bush

Rose

Every experienced gardener knows that if not cover a climbing rose for the winter, it may die, as this plant is very heat-loving. But first, you need to properly prepare the bush and fertilize it thoroughly. carry out pruningIt's also worth figuring out what material is best for wintering.

Preparing the bush

All preparatory measures depend entirely on the climate of the region where the plant is growing. Climbing and hybrid varieties must be protected from frost. This is especially important if winter temperatures drop below -15 degrees Celsius and persist for extended periods.

Preparing for pruning Protecting climbing roses for the winter begins with stopping nitrogen fertilization. This usually begins in late August. If the bushes are provided with ground cover, the shoots must be removed from the trellises. This should be done a month before the onset of frost. At the same time, a number of other events are being held, namely:

At the end of August, stop applying nitrogen-containing fertilizers. These substances stimulate the growth of new shoots, which can weaken the plant. Furthermore, the plant is less able to withstand frost in this condition. If new shoots are discovered during inspection, they should be removed with pruning shears; otherwise, the bush will simply freeze.
If the autumn fertilizer contains potassium, it significantly increases the frost resistance of the rose bush.
After October, stop pruning the buds, allowing them time to bloom and develop into fruit. These berries help the bushes harden, which means climbing roses will overwinter more successfully in this state.
In September, reduce the frequency of watering; this also helps strengthen the stems. Watering is only done when the soil dries out, and as soon as the ground begins to freeze, stop completely.

At the same time, sanitary pruning is carried out, removing dead, damaged, and diseased shoots from the plant. The main shaping of the bush occurs in late April—this time is considered the most favorable for spring pruning.

Features of feeding

Root fertilizers are ideal for autumn feeding. For the first application, a homemade composition is prepared, which includes the following components:

water - 10 liters;
superphosphate - 25 grams;
potassium sulfate - 10 grams;
boric acid - 2.5 grams (the substance can be replaced with regular borax, but in an amount of 3.5 grams).

All components are mixed and thoroughly stirred. This amount is sufficient to treat an area of four square meters. It is recommended to complete the procedure before mid-September. To prepare fertilizer for the second autumn feeding you will need:

water - 10 liters;
superphosphate - 15 grams;
monopotassium phosphate - 15 grams.

It's worth noting that this mixture must be used immediately after preparation, otherwise it will simply evaporate and not have the desired effect. Typically, a bucket of the mixture is enough to treat 3-4 mature shrubs. Fertilize in early October.

Earthworks

Before covering climbing roses for the winter, clear the area of weeds and other debris. This will help prevent pests and diseases next year.

To do this, the gardener needs to perform the following steps:

remove all broken branches, cuttings, fallen flowers and leaves from the soil, weeds and other vegetation are also removed, that is, after work the soil should be perfectly clean;
If there are annuals or wilted plants growing near the bush, they also need to be removed;
The most convenient way to remove plant debris and leaves is with a rake.

Don't leave faded rosebuds in the garden, as they can harbor fungal spores or other infections, such as black mold. They can become a breeding ground for insect larvae and other pathogenic microbes, which will simply migrate to the rose after overwintering.

Therefore, all vegetation and debris must be removed from the site, and it's important to burn it rather than simply remove it. Using this material as compost is strictly prohibited, as it can spread diseases and harmful insects throughout the garden.

Pruning and hilling procedure

In mid-November, when the ground has not yet frozen, you need to cover the climbing plants roses for winter A 10-12 cm layer of well-drained soil will be sufficient. In Ukraine, this time may come a little later. Moreover, such a mound should be made for each individual bush. After this, the soil should be covered with a layer of mulch; straw, wood shavings, or pine branches are excellent options.

Mulch will create an optimal temperature regime for the root soil and also reduce the risk of freezing. The next stage involves pruning, which is recommended to be done according to the following scheme:

Using pruning shears, trim dead branches; these shoots are recognizable by their black color. Cut at a 45-degree angle, leaving approximately 3 centimeters above the bud facing the outside of the branch.
To ensure good air circulation and light, thin the plant by pruning any abnormally growing or crossing shoots. Weak and spindly growth should also be removed.

The pruning height depends directly on the rose bush variety. Tea roses require a fairly heavy pruning, while climbers and ramblers require a gentler approach. All this work should be done before frost, as the plant needs time to adapt.

Methods of shelter

Roses can be covered in a variety of ways, but the placement of the bushes must be considered. If they are planted in a single row, a shield-type cover is most effective. If the plants are planted in groups, a special frame structure should be installed to house the flowers over the winter.

If a garden plot contains single shrubs, the type of cover is selected individually, taking into account the regional climate and the rose variety. In moderately cold winters with heavy snowfall, simple hilling and additional cover with spruce branches will suffice. In other cases, a small frame with an air gap is recommended.

Installation of shields

After the flowers have been trimmed and untied from the support structure, they must be carefully tied and bent as close to the ground as possible. Before doing this, however, spruce branches are laid on the surface. The shoots are secured to the ground with metal wire. Next, construct shields from boards or other suitable material. These elements should be approximately 80 centimeters wide and the same length as the row of shrubs.

The structure is installed along the plants like a house, then it must be firmly and securely fastened using wooden stakes. Don't worry if there are small gaps or holes in the panels; this is perfectly acceptable.

Place a layer of plastic film on top, covering the sides as well. Cover the bottom with soil and secure with planks. Keep the plastic film slightly open until frost sets in.

Making the frame

If rose bushes are not planted in rows, then frame structures are used for insulation. These can be quickly and easily assembled from any available material, be it metal wire or wooden slats.

If the plant is young and has not yet grown to a large size, then you can insulate it using a regular wooden box.

As with the previous method, you first need to trim the rose and remove it from the support, then secure the branches with additional supports and ropes, but do this in such a way that the plant does not come into contact with the frame.

Fiberglass is used to make the frame structure. This material is waterproof yet breathable. A combination of dense non-woven fabric and polyethylene film can also be used to protect the shrub rose from precipitation.

Whatever type of cover is used, it's important to remove it promptly. This should be done gradually, lifting the material a few centimeters daily to prevent the plant from rotting and allow for ventilation. It's best to remove the cover on a cloudy day to reduce the risk of sunburn.

Preparing climbing roses Preparing for winter is a very labor-intensive process, but the process itself ensures that the plant won't freeze. This means that with the arrival of spring, the bush will once again bear stunningly beautiful flowers with an incredible fragrance.