Root pruning

Just a quick question: I think this might be for Ozroz because he mentioned root pruning when he repotted his roses back into the same containers with fresh mix.. Or was it another RTA expert?

Can I just do a neat trim to cut back the roots to, say 4-5" ? Shorter? Longer? Any tricks anyone has?

I want to reserve some of the big new pots for plants other than roses on the new deck, and I think that I'll have to recycle some of the oldieroses back into their last season's pots.

It was me Besty, just get a pruning saw and cut back to where you want, thats sides and the bottom. Make sure you prune reasonably heavy to compensate for the big root prune and all will be ok. Do not fertilize for about one month.

when I repot from garden to pot , you have a lot of roots to get rid of. I cut the big ones right back to a size that fits the pot and try and keep as much as the fibrous roots as possible. Once it can fit in the pot, repot it with new potting mix and soak with seasol. make sure you water every day for the next week and then re-seasol it again. Never had a falure with that method yet..........[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Got it! Great advice. Thank you both. Seasol at the ready

seasol is to help the plant to de-stress

Thanks for that advice. I've never had much luck with potted roses, so will try this in the future.

I would not do it now as the weather is warming up, its something you do in the dead of winter.

Too late now. Been choppin' away already

From past (in)experience, I reckon roses, even the moderns, are tough customers. Apart from spore kryptonite, they have amazing fortitude.

The first batch of bareroot rose I ever ordered, I plonked in the guest bathroom bathtub, and drowned them right up to their cane tips - in SCALDING PURE HOT WATER. I mean, the water temp was high enough to cook eggs, it was that hot. In essence, I parboiled the entire lot, stem to stern

Then I left them soaking for 10 days while I went on a trip. I mean, talk about an unfit mother...

They all lived and flowered