First-Year Pruning Advice for Roses Started Indoors: Hardening Off and Patience

First-Year Pruning Advice for Roses Started Indoors: Hardening Off and Patience

Roses grown indoors are tender. Harden off gradually: place outside after sunrise, bring in before sunset. This toughens leaves and feeder roots.

Pruning

• Do not prune this year—it shocks the plant and may cause dieback.
• Let them grow naturally; prune next spring by one-third if too lanky.
• Climbers: no pruning for 4 years; they need to climb before flowering.

Pruning stimulates growth, not flowers.