Strip Leaves From Your Roses?

[@gardeningjunkie2267]

It is common practice when growing produce that are prone to disease, such as tomatoes to completely remove the bottom third of it's foliage. It is also important to have a mulch down which prevents splashback. I have started using this practice towards any rose that shows a drop of blackspot. This has been a complete game changer in keeping my roses healthy. One more thing. Roses should be completely defoliated when they go dormant. Even roses that have been exceptionally disease free, have always come back with either a bad aphid problem or black spot when left over winter (zone 7A).

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks. I know the same practice is widely applied in cannabis growing (for air circulation, and to reduce foliar disease/rot). Makes sense to know which are your most susceptible varieties and manage accordingly.

[@Lykzabet]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Could you please advise which US Zone would be the equivalent of a warm temperate zone? I’m trying to match here in Perth Western Australia 🧐

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I think the equivalent in USDA zones would be Zone 11, like Key West Florida (lucky you!)

[@Lykzabet]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Thank you ☝️ Our relative humidity ranges from 43% to 63% and it gets rather windy most months. We have 5 months with average minimums 45-55f and about 30in of rain per year.

[@OfftoShambala]

Who the heck would thumbs this down? 🤦🏼‍♀️ … useful and well presented as always!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks - I try not to second-guess it much unless I see a video drop several % points from my average. There's no figuring for individual taste.

[@chrishoy3042]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm I honestly think there are people that thumbs down every video they encounter (notice I didn't say "watch"). It's a sad reality for sad people. It's unfortunate for people who rely on quality content for an income stream. It seems like KZbin could do something to weigh votes heavier from subscribers and/or record who votes how.

[@lindam9018]

Seems to me that there are people who make it their mission to go around thumbs-down-ing peoples' videos, no matter the topic. Is it other KZbinrs or just cranky people? No idea.

[@kariesistansteckend2196]

Some people gives a thump up or DOWN just to know that you have already seen the video youtube does not have the option of permanently marking videos that have already been watched.

[@lindam9018]

@@kariesistansteckend2196 I would think most people know what the thumbs up/down mean and it would make more sense that someone would mark it thumbs up as yes, I've seen this video.

[@Lykzabet]

Jason I really appreciate your videos I find them informative and even demystifying at times. 🇦🇺👍🌹

[@ignaciaforteza7731]

As always I become much more knowledgeable with your wise instructions on roses. Thank you Jason 🌹🌷👍

[@maggiemanzke7926]

I'm with you Jason! Strip when needed, otherwise let roses be roses.

[@demesrvl6761]

I bet you're the BEST at removing Band-Aids!!!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

They run!

[@laurenpiantino8312]

I gotta get me that Playboy Rose; it appears to be heavily resistant to disease. Love your channel, it's sooooo very helpful. Thank You! :)

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

You're most welcome Lauren!

[@Yohina1989]

Some of my roses is getting bad blackspot this time of year with the cool wet mornings and nights so I find stripping the bottom leaves help stop it spreading but i wouldn't strip on the healthy ones. Thanks for the helpful video as always!

[@M-TGram]

Thank you for sharing your wisdom - I've learned so much from you as a newbie gardener over the last year. I learned how to strip leaves from you and do this routinely for foliar diseases, and this along with many other tips you've shared, has massively improved the roses in what was a very neglected garden. I've even got a tiny rose plant from a seed that I striated in the fridge following another of your videos. Really I can't thank you enough.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks for taking the time to let me know!

[@coracastro664]

All this passion for roses, I can't wait to visit your rose garden when it opens.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Cora

[@colette8694]

I like the default idea 🌹 thank you for this informative post

[@annebeck2208]

Very helpful thanks! I had a question about when I should do it for a greenhouse, but I see you already answered that. Yeah!

[@breakingburque2200]

Beautiful plants as always, I tend to underwater and my roses lose their lower leaves on their own. I usually have to strip the leaves in the winter because my plants try to hold onto them making it less attractive.

[@Theproblemsolverr]

im a very new rose hobbyist and i practice this method as a common sense. I live in a tropical climate, and more than half of my roses are in poorly ventilated and humid area. I use an electric fan for 9-12 hours daily to maintain a nice ventilation for my roses. Stripping the lower, crowded space of my roses helps them "breathe" too, so I do it. Happy to hear im doing the right thing.

[@sldulin]

I always learn something new from your vids. Btw, the CC this time was quite good.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks. I reviewed them shortly after publishing, and was glad to see they were mostly right. Still a little bit of "rows" instead of "rose", but not bad at all!

[@dubs3400]

I too, strip the inner leaves, but only when I start to see any hint of disease such as Black Spot. I generally don’t do it prophylactically. Perhaps I should. Again, thanks for another helpful video Jason.

[@suechampion9985]

Thank you for this information. How can I send you a picture of one of my roses and tell me what to do about it 🤔?

[@janetbull2616]

Thanks Jason always find your videos so informative 👍

[@alisonshanahan9529]

I have a Delbard rose that grows 2+ times as high as specified, currently it's 15' tall.It also naturally drops lower leaves. I live in Sydney, Australia, a very mild winter and steamy summers. Black spot is always on the roses due to the damper environment.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Wow Alison - I guess your climate agrees with it!

[@stevieb6173]

Well I take your point , but every gardeners different , and what works for you is fine whatever that may be , I'm in the uk and I have a bit of a leave and see feeling , If I see blackspot I'm de leafing for sure , but if a rose looks ok then I just leave it alone , it sounds common sense but that's just how I do it and I've been gardening for years and years professionally , sometimes if you have enough experience your gut feeling is usually the way to go , great video , very informative, many thanks

[@basilvictorhomer]

So you do exactly as per the advice in the video!

[@stevieb6173]

@@basilvictorhomer apart from the fact that I always open the middle up to let air through keep the centre open as opposed to just leaving that part alone

[@basilvictorhomer]

@@stevieb6173 That is an excellent suggestion but sadly one you did not make clear in your original comment. From what I could tell each and every point you raised had already been fully covered by the excellent video. So unless I am still missing something, methinks an apology to Fraser Valley Rose Farm might not go amiss.

[@stevieb6173]

@@basilvictorhomer methinks you miss the point , I'm actually in full agreement with the guys , perhaps it came across wrong , I gave it a thumbs up

[@basilvictorhomer]

@@stevieb6173 Strange way to agree my friend. You said 'Well I take your point, but every gardener's different ..' The 'but' clearly suggests you did NOT agree. You then go on to say 'whatever works for YOU is fine whatever that may be' which quite frankly sounds very condescending. And then 'but that's just how I do it and I've been a gardener for years and years professionally' as if to emphasise the reason why you know better. Yes, your closing comment attempt to redeem yourself but it does not go far enough. They say 'sorry' is the hardest word, well obviously for you it is anyway.

[@hpi2beme]

Thank you for another informative video.

[@KashmirMovieProduction]

Useful information

[@skyz3160]

Serious question :. Does stripping leaves in October take away the nutrition for the rose's health to get through winter ?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

If the foliage is otherwise healthy, you might be better to leave it in place to finish with gathering energy and also to allow the plant to pull back nutrients as the leaves senesce. That said, in the case of my greenhouse roses, I do the work as time permits, so I don't mind going a little early like this.

[@colette8694]

I love that beautiful Abraham Darby. I have never stripped the leaves I’m very interested in this post 🍃

[@seniyeshepherd3050]

Thanks for the tips!

[@bryonyhellis]

Really useful info as always, thanks!

[@Padsy95]

can you make a video on how to winterize plants in pots that can’t be moved? Also (specific to my garden) i have a shed but it doesn’t have any way to send in light. Do plants need access to light in the winter? Winter is coming, as the starks say, and I am no where near ready 😬😬😬

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Once they go fully dormant, they won't need the light. As for containers that remain outside, it depends on their rated hardiness. If you're in zone 6 (for instance) I'd suggest you choose roses hardy to zone 5 as a buffer. Otherwise, anything you can do to keep cold wind off the stems would be helpful. I've seen some people go so far as to invert a garbage can and place it over the rose in the coldest of weather.

[@dennistaft7868]

Jason, that all makes sense but I agree the plants look better with the leaves. I noticed your plant tags on the post. Since I have plant 50+ roses this year and plan on many more next year I need a good tagging system. So could you do a vid or tell me how you make yours?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Dennis. I've done 2 versions over time: version 1 was on waterproof/durable Avery stickers that I could run through my laser printer. They lasted 4 or 5 years usually, but eventually faded or degraded in the garden (depending on how much sun they took). The more recent ones are engraved in UV resistant plastic, and we buy them through a local trophy shop. I think we pay something like the equivalent of $2US each, but I don't see any degradation so far (2 years).

[@dennistaft7868]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Thank you. I was hoping you were going to say you have a gadget and make them yourself. I'll have to keep looking cause I don't know of a trophy shop near me.

[@Jules-fz5sn]

Thank you for this video. Would you also do this with a climbing Rose (Dawn) please?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Might be a big job! I do find New Dawn a bit susceptible in my climate, but it usually powers through even with a little blackspot.

[@Jules-fz5sn]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm thank you so much. Its turning colder here in England UK.

[@ethantaylor3567]

I strip the bottom quarter of the plant to allow for better air circulation and to avoid issues like mildew and Blackpot in the center of the bush.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Ethan!

[@annaleedivino5320]

Hello gd day thank you for giving some adviced. I have an idea learning from you. Keep safe. 👍

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Annalee, and you too!

[@josephherron5190]

Good tip to prevent black spot and rust on roses.

[@HinaHeather]

I think it’s up to the particular rose. They are all beautiful but they are so different. I would not strip leaves from Abraham Darby (and many other English roses) because they grow back immediately anyway😂 basically I go around my roses to observe and if I see some leaves covering/disturbing each other, I will remove the bottom one. And the ones covering ground must go immediately. Near soil leaves are Nothing but trouble. I don’t wait until black spot is already on. I totally agree to have an open mind about this topic.

[@dapolimagic]

Very good explanation. For the roses that you are overwintering in green house, what is the yellow stuff in the pot ? Is it Osmocote ?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Yes, slow release fertilize applied a couple of months ago. Mostly spent now.

[@ggreene4477]

Thanks for your expertise. I have a rose that bloomed once in 3 years and continues to get blight. It grows well. I do strip blight leaves. What else can I do?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I can only give you general guidance, because so much depends on variety and other factors. Just double-check the basics: sunny spot, adequate drainage, consistent watering, adequate nutrients. I'd also look at your pruning - some roses bloom better on old wood (prune after the first flush) while other bloom best on strong fresh growth (prune heavy late winter to encourage strongest shoots). Then again, some varieties have just never impressed me, so if you've given it a good chance, you could also consider throwing it a retirement party.

[@flygirlfly]

What about after the first frost? (It's coming!). Should I strip the leaves on my climbing rose? I do a loose wrapping with landscaping cloth to protect it in the winter. We get -20° weather and heavy snow. 💗 love your channel.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

If I were wrapping the rose, I think I'd want to strip leaves. I figure trapping leaves inside of landscape cloth my increase the risk of rot.

[@flygirlfly]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm 👍thanks!

[@Sansam717]

Which shrub roses that you grow flower profusely ? Mid size

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Julia Child. Beverly. South Africa. Glad Tidings. Bonica. Brilliant Pink Iceberg. Wild Blue Yonder.

[@Sansam717]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm thank you

[@br00talcabbage64]

I just stripped my roses and it started throwing out tons of flower sites and flowers every day since then.

[@shirleyoliver7715]

Hello enjoyed hearing you is it ok to prun back back the roses in oct

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Shirley. If you're in a northern temperate climate (with a cold winter) it's usually better to wait until spring. If there are any tall, unsupported stems that you think would be damaged by winter wind, you may want to nip them down now though.

[@asaliden4584]

A question about rooting hormone, what would you recommend to buy for semi hard cuttings? And ingredients? You have most likely said it before and I missed it. I’m trying to find a good rooting hormone here in Sweden, but it’s a jungle. I may order from Amazon and US instead.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Åsa, the active ingredient you're looking for is IBA, at around 0.3 or 0.4 % for semi hardwood cuttings. Here it's delivered in a talc based powder, but gel or liquid is fine too.

[@summer._._.1988]

Jason, thanks you for this wonderful video, I was going to ask you this question: I have been looking after my neighbour 🌹 this summer but over night one of the rose bush became totally stripped by some little creature right to the top. Does this mean that the rose is dead or it will be coming back next year. We are in Ontario. Please advise, thank you! 😊

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Angela. It could have been a bad breakout of Japanese beetle. No, it doesn't usually kill the shrub outright. I wouldn't worry unless the younger stems have turned black or greyish brown. You could also scrape away a bit of bark and see if it's green underneath.

[@summer._._.1988]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm thank you Jason for your quick response. I definitely will follow your suggestion. 😊 🌹

[@clairesmith8120]

I always take the leaves off flowers, particularly roses when I display them in a vase. I just like to see the beautiful flowers not the leaves. My husband doesn't think that is a good thing to do and just cuts the stem and puts the whole flower and leaves in a vase. Which is the best way to display roses please?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I'm going to echo what squid game shirt answered - any leaved that would end up beneath the water should be removed. Anything above the water line is more an aesthetic choice on your part.

[@dorothear9540]

Hi Jason! This is such a timely video. I still have a question though. I live in zone 5b and I have 2 roses in (average sized ceramic) containers that I'd like to overwinter in an unheated garage with no windows. There's been a couple of nights now that the temperatures dropped to 28F but the weather is still quite up and down, and the roses haven't lost any foliage yet. I was wondering if stripping off all leaves without pruning, and transferring my roses to the garage would be a wise move at this point or if I should wait more/do things differently. I would very much appreciate your advice! Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Dorothea. I see no harm in preemptively removing the foliage and getting them in if you're concerned about upcoming cold weather. I definitely work ahead a little (as I have in this video) because I'm not sure that I'll have enough time later.

[@kimberlysibert3648]

Thank you for this useful info, Jason. I always enjoy your videos. I am fairly new to roses in my garden. I actually have been doing exactly as you recommended in this video to the 5 roses I planted this summer, ie cases by case leaf removal. Two of the five I planted, are in large pots. They all have thrived. I have been watching for a video from you regarding how to overwinter roses in pots that would be difficult to move. They are all in an open sunny spot beside my driveway, situated there because we had recently taken down a large old tree, thus digging impossible in the spot, where the potted ones are . Our predicted first frost date is days away. What do you recommend?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Kimberly - most roses are frost hardy, and will only be damaged by a more extended period of deep cold. Compare the rated hardiness of the roses to your climate zone. I'd look for a 1 zone "buffer" because they're in pots, but if they're plenty hardy, you may not need to offer any additional protection.

[@kimberlysibert3648]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Thanks, Jason!

[@keiragreen1735]

Amazing 🤞🏽 🎈🎈🎈

[@raymundsantos2324]

Hi Jason, if you strip off the leaves will new shoots come out of the same area? Also if I am using a 14 14 14 granular fertilizer, would it benefit if I add a little urea fertilizer for added nitrogen to make the rose plant bushy? Thank you!

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Raymund. There's always a visible bud or a shoot just above the leaf scar (the point where you removed the leaf). In addition, there are a couple of hidden dormant buds in the same region. When the rose decides it needs more leaves and shoots, these buds will activate and grow new stems. A new leaf will not regrow in the same place as the old one, but further up those stems, there will be a leaf at every node. 14-14-14 is a pretty solid balance for roses. I wouldn't advise going any heavier on nitrogen.

[@raymundsantos2324]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm thank you very much! Have a nice weekend 😊!

[@melissarlouise]

Would this also apply for rambling roses?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

It'd be a lot of work to strip some of my larger ramblers! But yes, the same principles apply

[@Blue_Azure101]

I noticed that naturally they turn yellow and drop off anyway so I remove them

[@scottbrown575]

great video! People (myself included) tend to get overly concerned about the black spot showing up on the leaves. What are some of your favorite disease resistant varieties? Or are some varieties more or less disease resistant depending on your zone?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Scott. Zone is more a measure of low temperatures in winter - foliar diseases tend to be more related moisture/humidity in the growing season. Blackspot for instance is much less severe in an arid climate. Helpmefind.com will describe a rose's disease resistance or susceptibility on the main profile page for each plant. Lots of the Kordes roses are pretty resistant - Beverly, South Africa, the Veranda series. I also like Julia Child & Fellowship.

[@ksero1000]

All of my roses, hydrangeas, & smoke bushes lost their leaves all by themselves for some reason.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Wow - I wonder if it was a stressful year for moisture?

[@mking3219]

Hi,good information What's a good thorny shrub type for sandy sw facing soil? I'm in zone 6b, and in a very humid summer area

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

I'd try a Scots rose or a Ruogsa rose. Both are quite good in sandy soil.

[@mking3219]

Thanks

[@Learnhvac.]

I always see your videos I have one question can I put my roses which are in pots to inside home near windows at sunlight during hard winter season will they survive inside

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Yes, totally possible to overwinter indoors. I'd choose as cool a location as possible and let them go semi-dormant to they don't need as much light/air/water and nutrients.

[@Learnhvac.]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm thanks for reply

[@mannatkaur8983]

I stripped out the leaves of my overwatered rose plant as they were wilting is that a correct move

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Yes, if the leaves are in bad shape due to stress they'll do little for the health of the plant, so you may as well strip them off.

[@rickolson6826]

My rose beds are covered with decorative red rocks. Will that protect them at all or should I clear them and chicken wire in some leaves to protect them? I currently have them watered daily on an automatic drip system for 20 minutes as the got scorched in the Northern Nevada heat this summer. Should I cut that back? They seem pretty happy

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Hi Rick. Well, there's a lot of USDA zones 7 and 8 in Northern Nevada. Nail that down to your locale, and then compare it to the hardiness of the roses. Generally speaking, those zones aren't too bad for winter die-back (I'm in zone 8 myself, and rarely see damaged stems). Yes, I figure you should cut back watering as the temperatures cool and the roses are using less water.

[@rickolson6826]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm I'm in Fernley. Google says it's 7A and 7B

[@rickolson6826]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Thank you Jason!

[@yomammy13]

Will my rose bushes that yes had disease and I didn't strip the leaves, will they come back next spring? Zone 4b here

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Stripping the leaves shouldn't impact their overwinter survival. A cleanup before next spring may be helpful in reducing the onset of disease next year though.

[@sheilaeyster6036]

Should blackspot leaves be stripped all year long? I thought one of your videos said unless you are entering you rose in a show just ignore black spot.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

As you can see (even from this video) I have a certain level of tolerance for blackspot. I don't know that I'd ever put a rose in a show, but I probably said something about viewing it mainly as a cosmetic issue. Each gardener will have to pick a tolerance level - and leaf stripping is a valuable technique for those who want a higher level of control, but also grow susceptible varieties. BTW, I know I zeroed in on blackspot, but increased air circulation will help with a wide variety of foliar diseases.

[@sheilaeyster6036]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm thank you.

[@rosacanina5353]

Hi! Do you water roses overwintering in the greenhouse? I propagated rose from the stem in the summer and do not know if I should plant it now or keep it in the garage?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Yes, in the greenhouse we have warmer days and I still need to keep an eye on watering. If dealing with relatively dormant roses in a garage, I reduce watering significantly. I'd suspect it's not quite large enough to fend for itself in the ground this winter.

[@rosacanina5353]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Thank you very much!

[@belle8797]

Why do you plant roses in tires?

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Protection from our lawn mowing. This is our mother stock of roses for propagation, so we have 120 roses in the lawn. Damage from the ride-on mower or string trimmer could get expensive awfully fast. The tires were a quick and cheap way to put a bumper around each of them in short order. Side benefits: adding organic amendments and mulch to the inside of these tires has proven to be an effective way to feed them, and maintain consistent soil moisture. I suspect there's some level of cold protection for the crown of the roses too.

[@Free_Falastin2024]

My local rabbits do this for me every year lol.

[@coolwater55]

😅😅

[@beabeliever9]

Hey what do you do with these millions of roses? Do you sell them? Can I come buy some? I just live up the way.... as they say.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Yes - we sell potted roses and other plants locally, so I'm sure we can work something out. Some varieties are listed for sale right now on our online store at: www.fraservalleyrosefarm.com/shop but if you want to see the assortment from the greenhouse, that's fine too.

[@ferengallie]

Very helpful video, Jason, thank you. Please could you tell me what those yellow balls are on your greenhouse roses? Also, I have a rose in a pot this year and I was wondering if I should put a plant fleece on it for winter as I don’t have a greenhouse. I did this for my potted camellias last year and they were amazingly healthy when I removed the fleeces in spring. Any advice you can offer would be gratefully received. Thanks, Jason.

[@FraserValleyRoseFarm]

Thanks Allie. Those are from the controlled release fertilizer application a couple of months ago - mostly released now. Osmocote or something similar. If your potted it rose is rated for at least one zone lower than your climate, you may not have to add anything at all.

[@ferengallie]

@@FraserValleyRoseFarm Thanks, Jason. I live in the south of England and I don’t think we have zones, but thank you for trying to help.

[@yonokzeller5402]

😮🙏🙏🙏🙏🥰

[@julianshepherd2038]

Just, No. Looks silly.