Pruning Hybrid Teas After Warm Winter: Staged Approach for Georgia

Jim in GA had new growth on one-year-old hybrid teas before pruning. Jay's staged plan:

Staged Pruning

1. Prune ~⅓ down now (despite new growth).
2. Return later, prune to ½ original height (18–24 inches).

Why Staged?

• Insures against sudden cold snap killing top growth.
• Leaves healthy lower canes to cut back to.
• Removes pencil-thin canes (won't produce quality blooms).

Jay: "This has been a crazy warm something." He was doing the same in SC.