Now is not the time to consider pruning those roses
Q: When I asked about caring for my potted miniroses recently, I didn’t ask if it’s time to prune them. They did grow pretty well last year and I’d like them to stay sort of contained. Should I be pruning them back now? — M.R.L., West Side
A: An emphatic no! Unless there are broken or damaged branches or stems, no, now is not the time to prune roses of any sort. You could get down on their level and really inspect the bushes to see what should go when the time comes but for the time being keep your pruners sheathed — except if you discover damage. That should be cleaned up but as soon as the damage is removed put the pruners down. Don’t get carried away by how nice it is to prune.
In these parts, rose pruning is typically on the calendar for the last weeks in March. There is a logical reason, too. Roses tend to be what I describe as “hormonal.” If you fuss with them they take that as a signal that it’s time to start to grow. Well, trust me, we’re nowhere near the end of cold weather and if your roses got triggered and push any tender new growth it would be maimed or killed outright. Then you’d need to re-prune, perhaps taking off far too much of the plant, making it ever harder for it to recuperate. So wait!
For the time being, just keep everything watered. With the recent and continuing precipitation we’ve had that shouldn’t be difficult, but be ready to step in as needed. With each rain or snow we get mark your calendar and if there isn’t any wet weather by the time 12 to 15 days pass you will want to water — especially your pots. Remember, it’s the water that’ll insulate the plants roots, keeping them quietly dormant and protected from frost damage as our winter advances.
Q: I have three red yucca plants in the landscaping in the front yard. They have those long flower stalks, all light tan colored with the finished flowers at the ends. I think they are an eyesore and need to know what to do about them. — D.B., West Side
A: OK, counterintuitive to what I just wrote about pruning, the spent bloom stalks your red yuccas are supporting can go now if you want. A couple of cautions to think about if you are really determined to tidy up your plants, OK? First, be sure to dress in stout layers. The yucca is a truly pokey creature and will stab you. Next, grab the old bloom stalk, gently but firmly, as deep into the plant as you can humanly get and give it a good tug. Sometimes the spent stalk will pop off cleanly and, voilà, you’re done. If it doesn’t give way easily don’t pull, tug and fight with the plant. Being overzealous you could actually cause the plant harm, so if the stalk doesn’t pop off, you just change your mode of attack. More times than not you will need to get into the plant, following that stalk as deep in as you can and using the sharpest hand pruner you have, and cut the stalk out. See, that’s why you’re dressing in layered armor, so to speak, to keep yourself from being attacked by this pokey plant.
It does no harm to leave the spent stalks but if you’re determined to remove them and tidy up their look, you can. Just keep yourself safe and the mother plants uninjured. Happy Digging In.
OK, Albuquerque: The Christmas tree recycling program is fast coming to a close. This is the last weekend you’ll be able to drop your tree at any one of the three tree-cycle spots in town to turn your holiday treasure into a viable compost product and keep our community tidier in the long run. Here on the West Side you can take the cut tree to Ladera Golf Course, 3401 Ladera NW. Just be patient, watchful and stay safe with all of the road construction in the area. Thanks Albuquerque for pitching in! Need tips on growing your garden? Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send your garden-related questions to Digging In, Rio West, P.O. Drawer J, Albuquerque, NM 87103.