Question
We have four rose plants here in Gilbert, AZ (20 miles SE of Phoenix) that have grown out of control and have not been trimmed back since last fall when I cut them short.  Is it really a good idea to trim them now in November?  They also have spider mites and I thought if I trimmed them back like I did last November, that would help with that problem and also let them regrow this winter.  After trimming them down last winter, they did grow great after that and are 4 feet high right now with a lot of spent blooms and some new buds.  Thanks for any help you can offer.


Answer
Yes, trimming your roses this time of year, especially where you live (in a warmer climate), it is necessary to force them into dormancy. They need that period of dormancy to concentrate on root growth and not top growth.  So essentially, you are telling the plant to quit concentrating on the foliage and flower growth, but take this time and growth new healthy roots. And it is really hard to get rid of spider mites unless you remove a lot of the infected foliage. And you need to start spraying an insecticide or use a systemic insecticide starting again next season.  As soon as you start to see new growth, because you know they are susceptible to spider mites, and you can prevent them from ever getting them if you spray starting early next season.  You should also dead head the roses after they are done blooming.