Question
I live in the Pittsburgh area and didn't get around to trimming my rose bushes. I think they are English tea roses (per someone else)...they grow quite large every year. We will be having some warmer weather for a few days but it will go down to 30 degrees in about 3-4 days. I usually trim them back in the Fall but missed that. Is it too late to do it now or should I wait until early Spring?

Also, I had black spot on them this year...does that affect how/when I should prune? Thanks!


Answer
No it isn't too late to prune your roses now. Actually it is a good idea to prune after a frost as that usually means there will be fewer leaves on the roses. Austin roses are left not pruned until the third year when they are then cut back by about a third. His roses all have different shapes and leaving them for three years means that they have developed what shape they are and that will give you a better idea on how to prune them. This trait is caused by the old roses that he crosses them with. You can also cut out canes that are thinner then a pencil as they will not produce good blooms.
Black spot spores are in the air and they float around until it rains or there is a strong wind. When they fall on a rose leaf they start their cycle. The secret to keeping this disease at bay is to spray before you see it such as in the spring before they have leafed out. There is no cure for this fungal disease because the spores are in the air but you can discourage it by early spraying. Usually once a rose has black spot it means that when conditions are right, it will get it again. Hope this helps.