As much as we would all like to believe that plants produce flowers, fruits and vegetables for our pleasure, they actually are doing so for the survival of the species. Inside those flowers, fruits and vegetables are seeds. Once the plant has produced a sufficient amount of seeds, it either goes dormant to re-energize or in the case of annuals, die off completely.
Selfish humans that we are, we are constantly figuring out ways to extend those "fruits" of their labor. Following is the correct way to deadhead roses and encourage more flowers:
1. Locate a spent bloom on your rose bush. Flowers that have begun to wilt or are dropping petals need to be removed.
2. Locate the first set of 5 leaves beneath the bloom. There are typically several groups of 3 leaves directly under the bloom, so you may have to look further down the branch to locate the first group of 5 leaves. If the plant is weak or unhealthy, you should prune more conservatively.
3. Cut the branch at a 45 degree angle slightly above the first group of 5 leaves you located beneath the bloom. Use a sharp set of bypass hand pruners to make the cut. Try using anvil pruners if your roses have particularly tough or thick canes that are difficult to cut with bypass pruners.
4. Repeat Steps 1 to 3 until you have removed all of the old blooms from your rose bush. This will ensure plenty of new growth and beautiful buds.
If you need a more visual explanation, here is a link:
http://www.ehow.com/video_4418560_deadhead-roses.html
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