Characteristics of blind shoots
Blind shoots practically do not differ from flowering branches. The difference can only be noticed when examining a bush. On strong, healthy shoots, the empty top ends with a leaf, does not form buds. The floral system of the upper bud is not developed or has died out on it.
This phenomenon is especially pronounced in straight-growing varieties. The upper bud is always responsible for the formation of flowers in roses, and the entire shoot does not form a flowering. With old roses or shrub roses that form flowers along hanging stems, this is less of a problem.
Why do roses have blind shoots?
Symptoms are more likely to occur after a late frost or when there are large temperature swings day and night. A cold snap at this time is dangerous: it damages the upper buds, which disrupts the transfer of nutrients in the shoots. As a result, plants can throw out many blind shoots.
The causes of numerous blind shoots can be different:
- freezing of roots in cold winter;
- damaged buds during spring frosts;
- improper deepening of the root system at the time of planting;
- lack of nutrition;
- no pruning or sparing (only flower stalks are cut);
- lack of sunlight
Dormant shoots may occur due to the large difference between day and night temperatures. The warmer the daytime temperature and the cooler the nights, the more likely these stems are to appear.
The emergence of blind, non-flowering shoots are more susceptible to young shrubs, certain varieties and poorly pruned plants.
Other reasons may be nitrogen fertilization or shady areas.
Additional information ! You need to find these shoots in roses as early as possible. It is impossible to delay this for too long, otherwise the blind shoots will simply stop developing and nothing will happen.
Pruning maintains the long life and health of the rose. Excessive number of stems weakens the bush. Weak and thickening shoots are most often a source of the spread of diseases and harmful insects.
In most cases, a three-year-old shoot is old. The old shoots are thick and strongly lignified at the base, and along the entire length they have many side branches.
Thin and unproductive shoots growing inside the bush or close to the ground will never bloom. On a rose bush, shoots thinner than an ordinary pencil should not remain. The rose, freed from them, will concentrate its forces on flowering.
Heavy pruning also encourages branches without flowers. The shoots are cut back to a few well-developed leaves and, if unfavorable cultivation conditions are avoided, they begin to grow normally again.
A lack of nutrients can be a reason to refuse flowers. Large inflorescences require more strength, especially in a young plant. The result is the appearance of blind shoots on the plant.
If the bushes have not been fertilized for a long time, then they do not have the strength to grow and form buds.
Damaged roots during transplanting or planting a seedling in a permanent place can also lead to roses refusing to bloom. They are not able to adequately supply the plant with nutrients and moisture.
In the event of an attack by pests or disease, the bush should be treated with special insecticides or fungicides.
In the spring, after the shelter is removed and before the buds swell, frost-bitten and deformed branches are to be removed. In summer, the purpose of pruning is to regulate the flowering process. At this time, shoots with peduncles for 3-4 buds are removed. Such an event will speed up the process of the emergence of new buds. Autumn pruning is done to prepare plants for winter. At this time, poorly ripened blind and fatty branches, as well as long shoots, should be cut.
What to do with blind shoots
Abundant flowering in roses can be achieved by correcting mistakes in care. Without pruning, the bush will not bloom, you need not waste time and carry out a restoration pruning. The sooner the cause is identified and action taken, the better, and the later the flowering time will come.
To do this, it is enough to cut off the top of the blind shoot to a well-developed cinquefoil. In this case, a bud will wake up in the axil of the uppermost leaf, and buds will soon appear.
If the tip is weakened, you can shorten the shoot even up to a third of its length. On a powerful stem, pruning is not necessary, it is enough to pinch the top. Short shoots should be removed completely. They pull food onto themselves, and contributes to the thickening of the bush.
Treatment with growth stimulants “Bud”, “Epin” and “Zircon” contribute to the awakening of the plant, as well as the prevention of many diseases.
Important! If blind shoots were seen at the end of summer, then it is not recommended to wake up the buds with pruning and growth stimulants. Young branches will begin to grow actively, and will not be able to get stronger enough before the coming winter, which will lead to their death. The event should be rescheduled for the spring.
Keeping the power of roses
To keep the beautiful appearance of roses for a long time, it is necessary to regularly remove blind shoots. Pruning also helps keep the rose blooming.
Weakened roses are much more susceptible to leaf disease. It is recommended to feed the bush simultaneously with pruning with potash fertilizers or flowering stimulating agents. Such top dressing will eliminate the nutritional deficiency of the plant.
Roses that bloom all summer are depleted and need to be fed accordingly. Roses that bloom more often need more nutrients, so they are fertilized in the spring and after the first blooming of flowers. Nitrogen fertilizers should not be used, as they stimulate the growth of the rose, and not its flowering.
Blind shoots should be distinguished from fattening ones. Strong, fast-growing stems without flowers appear due to an excess of nutrients in the soil. The reason for this behavior is overfeeding the plant.
Important! Excess fertilizer is no less harmful to roses, incl. and for climbers than a disadvantage.
The appearance of blind and fatty shoots suggests that care mistakes were made. Knowing what blind shoots of roses are, you can achieve flowering bushes this year. Proper pruning will cause a replacement bud to grow. Subcortex and other measures can provide roses with the opportunity for abundant flowering.
