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Textbooks always mention the removal of crossing rose stems at pruning time.
The reason for this is simple: wind action causes the stems to rub against each other, which causes a weakness.
The stems may grow and flower, but the weight of flowers and foliage in high summer, coupled with a sudden rainstorm can cause these weakened stems to snap where they have been rubbing. A heartbreak for any rose grower.
To avoid this problem, simply cut out one of the crossing stems.
Guru Spotlight |
Ray Lokar |