For diehard rose fans and rose owners, there is nothing more depressing than seeing a dead rosebush. Before disassembling and disposing of it, there are several steps you can take to restore the rosebush to its former state as long as the plants have not completely died. To do this, you'll need to treat the area around your roses carefully, trimming, watering, and fertilizing them regularly. If you continue to take good care of your rosebush, it may be possible to save this plant from death.
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Part 1 of 4: Removing Weeds and Dead Parts
Step 1. Scrape off the bark to make sure that the plant has not completely died
Cut the stems near the base of the plant. Carefully scrape off the outer bark. If there is still a layer of green under the skin, the rose is still alive and you can save it. If the trunk under the bark is brown, it means the rose is dead and you can do nothing but replace it with a new plant.
Cut a few stems from the rosebush. If the stem breaks easily, the rose is probably dead. If the stem still feels flexible when you want to cut it, chances are the rose is still alive
Step 2. Clean the area around the rosebush of dead flowers and leaves
Dead flowers and fallen leaves can cause a rosebush to contract disease. Remove dead flowers or leaves around the clump by hand and discard or compost.
- Do not compost diseased plants because the disease can spread to other plants.
- More flowers and leaves will fall in the dry season.
Step 3. Remove weeds (nuisance plants) around the rosebush
Weeds and other plants that grow near the rosebush can absorb all the nutrients in the soil, which will weaken the rosebush. Dig up and remove any weeds you find in the garden by hand or dig up with a shovel.
- Try using mulch (such as straw, sawdust, husk, or foliage) to prevent new weeds from growing in your garden or yard.
- Do not let the weed roots are left behind because weeds can grow again.
Step 4. Cut off dead or diseased flower buds
If the flowers or leaves have spots or patches that change color from the original, it's a sign that the plant has contracted a disease or has died. Dead flowers and leaves can be cut or trimmed with cutting shears. Allowing dead or diseased flowers and leaves to spread disease throughout the plant.
Diseases of roses include black spot, powdery mildew, and brown canker
Part 2 of 4: Pruning Rose Clumps
Step 1. If you live in a subtropical area, prune the rosebush as soon as the last frost has cleared
Prune the rosebush as soon as the weather starts to warm up-usually right after the last frost-so that the rosebush isn't damaged by cold weather. At this time, the flower buds will begin to grow.
- You can find the date of the last frost using the Old Farmer's Almanac's website. Enter the postal code into the field at
- Check to see if the plant has any signs of growing new leaves and if the flowers are starting to appear brightly colored.
- For most people, this means the roses should be pruned in early spring.
- Pruning dead branches and secondary stems that are not important will make the main stem grow healthier.
Step 2. Use sharp, sterilized cuttings
Apply ethanol or isopropyl alcohol to the blades of the scissors to sterilize them before starting to trim. Cleaning and sterilizing the cutting shears will prevent the rosebush from contracting disease.
Make sure the cuttings are sharp, as blunt scissors can damage the plant
Step 3. Cut the stems at a 45°C incline above the shoots facing outward
Cut just above the outward-facing shoot or above the outward-facing thorn from the center of the plant. Do not cut the stems horizontally. Cutting diagonally at a 45°C angle will help help the stem heal faster and prevent water from pooling in the cut.
Step 4. Cut off dead and diseased stems
Remove all branches of the rosebush that appear dead and diseased because if not removed, the disease can spread throughout the plant. Cut dead or diseased branches to the center of the clump. Diseased stems usually have spots, or appear wilted or dead.
- You can tell if the stem is dead or diseased if the leaves are dead and the stem looks like wood, which is dry and brown in color.
- Dead stems will be brown and dry in the middle when you cut them, not green as they should be.
Step 5. Prune branches that cross each other and shoot outwards
Prune branches that cross each other or that shoot out of the clump. Trimming the stems that surround the center of the plant will give the main stem more exposure to the sun. A healthy, thriving rosebush usually has 4–7 healthy stems growing vertically.
Step 6. Prune the top of the plant so that it remains about 50 cm (0.5 m) tall
Prune the top of the plant at the beginning of shoot growth. Pruning the buds will allow the roses to grow new flowers in the spring. Prune any branches that are growing upwards so that the rosebush is only 50 cm high.
Part 3 of 4: Cultivating a Rose Clump
Step 1. Buy the right type of fertilizer
Purchase a grain fertilizer or a balanced 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer. This type of fertilizer will provide nutrients to the soil. Fertilizer should be applied every four weeks during the early growth period.
- You can also make your own nutritional powder by mixing 1 cup (240 ml) bone meal or superphosphate, 1 cup (240 ml) cottonseed meal, 1⁄2 cups (120 ml) blood meal, 1⁄2 cups (120 ml) flour fish, and 1⁄2 cups (120 ml) Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate).
- Purchase a special fertilizer for roses at your local florist. Usually there are types of minerals and nutrients specifically needed by roses.
Step 2. Water the soil before and after you apply fertilizer
Use a hose to water the soil until it is wet before applying fertilizer. Watering the soil before applying fertilizer will prevent the plant from being burned by the fertilizer.
Step 3. Add fertilizer near the base of the plant according to the instructions on the label
Spread the fertilizer evenly around the rose bush along the perimeter of the growing area. Sprinkle the fertilizer near the base of the plant, but don't let it get on the rose stems.
Fertilizer that hits the leaves will burn and wilt the leaves
Step 4. Apply fertilizer when you start to see new growth
Some people fertilize roses in early spring, but if you see new shoots, just fertilize the roses even if it's a bit early. Rosebushes need more nutrients when they are in their infancy and early in the flowering season.
At the height of the growing season, fertilize roses every 4–6 weeks
Part 4 of 4: Mulching and Watering Roses
Step 1. Cover the area around the rosebush with 2.5–5 cm thick mulch
Purchase organic or inorganic mulch online or at a florist. Spread mulch evenly around the rosebush. Leave about 2.5 cm of empty space that is not mulched near the base of the plant.
- Do not pile mulch near the center of the clump.
- Adding mulch will allow the soil to retain more water for the roots and prevent weed growth.
- Organic mulch includes wood chips (sawdust), straw, grass clippings, and leaves.
- Inorganic mulch includes gravel, stone, and glass.
- Replace or add more organic mulch once a year at the start of the dry season.
Step 2. Spread cardboard mulch if you are facing weed problems
Laying cardboard mulch can solve an extreme weed problem. Lay mulch over the entire area as the top layer of mulch. This will prevent the weed seeds from being exposed to the sun and germinating.
Step 3. Water the rosebush when the soil starts to dry out
If it doesn't rain every week or the rosebush is planted in a pot and placed indoors, you will need to water the soil thoroughly. About 5–8 cm of top soil should feel moist. You can check this by sticking your finger into the top layer of soil. If it feels dry, water it.
Roses will wilt and dry out if not watered enough
Step 4. Water the rosebush before sunrise or after sunset
If you water your roses in the middle of the day when the sun is out, water spots will form on the roses. In addition, the water will evaporate quickly and will not have time to absorb into the soil.
