Short Cut

That Ain't A Rose, That's A Prune

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

In a comment on my recent post Great Hips, Rose, a fellow blogger, It’s The Little Things, asked me recently why roses have to be pruned at an angle - and there is a very simple explanation. Because roses are pruned in winter, the cuts should be carried out at a 45-degree angle - or as close to that angle as possible. If the cuts were horizontal, frost or dew would remain on the stalks, possibly causing them to rot or even impeding new growth. But an angled cut means any moisture simply runs off harmlessly. No residue, therefore no disease.

Click here: Pentax K100D, Shutter speed 1/180, F8, ISO speed 200.