How and when do you prune roses?

I live in California and moved into a house with beautiful roses- the rose bush is about 5-6 feet high. How the heck do I care for them? I tried looking in the internet, too complicated, can anyone explain it to me plain and simple? Thanks in advance

How and when do you prune roses?
I love roses too. If you want to prune them significantly, you really should only do it at the end of February or the beginning of March, because most roses grow on old wood and will begin setting their buds in March and April ... however, you can always prune off the old, spent roses, or let them turn into hips and have rose hip tea. Pruning is easy ... I was always told to prune just above where you have a set of at least three leaves ... pruning much farther down would be significant pruning. Try to wash your pruners in between rose bushes with rubbing alcohol to prevent cross contamination if your roses have any diseases. Don't water too much -- the leaves may turn yellow or get spotty if you water too much. As for fertilization and pest care, I recommend a product you can get at WalMart made by Bayer. It is rose food/pesticide that comes in liquid form that you dilute or pellets that you sprinkle around then water to activate, and it not only feeds the roses, but also helps with all kinds of rose infestations, including aphids, for up to six weeks.





Enjoy those roses.
Reply:prune them to just above a leaf bud, (where new shoots or leaves are emerging or where you can see a little reddish node) Try to pick one that is facing outwards from the plant. Don't be afraid of cutting fairly low down on the plant.The thicker the branch you have cut the thicker the new stems will be and so a stronger plant.
Reply:mwinter and kaz have good advise-you can prune them now but it will not bloom this year
Reply:Not sure where you are in CA but they have the Orange County Rose Society.





I am sure there is one in your county too