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The dreaded job of pruning a rose bush.

There are 2 groups. Shrub or rugosa roses, and tea, grangiflora and florabunda roses. First, shrub roses. A double layer of thick gloves and sharp pruners dissinfected with alcohol are the only tools you need. Prune in the late fall after the leaves have fallen off the plant. Remove anything dead, dying or diseased branches. Then prune out the weak sucker wood and thin out the center of the plant. When cutting stems, cut as far down in the crown as you can. Remove any debris from the crown and allow air and water to penitrate. Tea, Grandiflora, and florabunda'sHealthy growth should not be reduced by more than 1/3. Remove any dead, dying or diseased wood. Remove any cross branches and thin out older wood. Mulch and use a protective coverings for winter protection.

from the 11/6/2003 Hamlen's Helping Hints.
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Flowering poinsettia's for a second year

A fantastic plant that often is thrown out after the holidays because no one knows what to do with it. Poinsettia's are photoperiodic, meaning that flowering is controlled dy day and night length. Classified as a short day plant, it will not flower when nights are shorter that 11.5 hours. Instead of tossing the plant, cut it back and place it outside for the summer. Bring indoors by September 1. Repot and place in a warm sunny location with no drafts. October 1 is when you can start to alter day length by covering plants with a black cloth. Some people like to use a cardboard box . This works fine, make sure the box provides complete darkness. My grandmother put her poinsettia in the closet every night. Keep it consistant from 5 pm until 8 am. This process should be continued every night until the end of november. Water and feed regularly. The plant should be in bloom for Christmas.

from the 11/20/2003 Hamlen's Helping Hints.
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