By Brendan Rees
It’s that time of year again to dust off your secateurs and get rose pruning.
Keen gardeners were keen to learn a few tricks of the trade during a rose pruning demonstration held at Wilson Botanic Park in Berwick on Saturday 21 July.
Rose Society of Victoria member and Morwell garden member Carl Ellefsen provided a rose pruning demonstration and was on hand to give some handy hints.
He said pruning in July was important because it helped reduce disease, encouraged air circulation and let more light in.
This means the plant was focusing its attention and energy on producing beautiful blooms for next season, he added.
Mr Ellefsen showed 22 gardening enthusiasts how to remove all dead, diseased and crossing branches
“I showed them also how to prune their roses carefully so they flower best in spring and also remove any weak branches within the centre of the bush,” he said.
He also advised: “Make sure you tools are sharp and clean. If they’re not sharp they’ll damage the plant.”
Mr Ellefsen said the he optimal pH soil range for most rose plants was between 6.5 and seven. “Most modern roses you prune this time of year. Heritage roses you prune straight after flowering.”
