I am in 8a and we had our first frost which did not kill the brugs of course but the buds which I was hoping would open are all brown and withered now. SO I am aready to cut. But I don't know how close to the ground to cut. I will mulch too, but I need a little bit of instruction as to the cutting down.
Carol
Just now having to cut them down...
Oh Carol, too bad you didn't get to see the blooms. I have no opinion as I have never done it myself. I have read here that some cut close to the ground and others leave a couple of feet. Both seemed happy with their results. I am sure people will come by and tell you what worked for them. GOOD LUCK! Are you rooting what you cut off too?
I cut my 'serendipity' last week and I'm trying to root them, but they are pretty green. It was not real big. Not even 4ft tall. This one is about the same. I left about a foot above the ground but I didn't know if this is right or not. I didn't explain that I am expecting them to come back from the root. I am also wondering if I am correct to cut them down if I expect them to come back. I am wondering if you only cut them to root them if they are not coming back. I have confused myself now. LOL
I have read people do cut them even when they are hoping they will come back from the root. I would always seal my cuts though. Did you mulch well?
What do you seal them with? Yes I think so. How thick should it be? (Mulch)
I am the last one that should give you advice on this as I have no personal experience with it. But from what I have read if you put a tomato cage around it and fill it with packed leaves, that helps a lot. I know there are are other ways too.
I use specific compounds made for roses but you can also use just Elmer's glue on fresh cuts. Better to recut and put it on directly before any germs have a chance to enter for then you would seal them which you do not want to do. Just do not touch the end of your glue bottle to your cut or you can contaminate the whole container with possible germs. Best to keep the end clean.