How to Remove Suckers From Rose Bushes
Suckers are stems that form on the rootstock of rose bushes. These stems grow much more vigorously than the rest of the rose bush, and rob the rest of the bush of vital food and nutrients. They don't produce any roses, so it is best to remove them from the rose bush. If you have rose bushes, you will want to know how to identify and remove suckers from them. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Locate suckers on your rose bushes by looking for a rapidly growing stem that has emerged from the bush or the ground near the bush. Seven very thorny leaflets make up the leaf; they are light green and ribbed colors. They will look different than the rest of the rose bush, which has five leaflets and is darker green and glossy.
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Trace the sucker back to its origin on the rose bush. This is usually below the graft union of the bush, but as mentioned the sucker may have emerged from the bush underground and surfaced a short distance away. You may have to dig down in the soil to locate it.
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Put on a thick pair of gloves to protect against the thorns and remove the suckers by twisting them off at their origin rather than pruning them with shears. This will discourage re-growth of the sucker.
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Prevent some suckers in the future by being careful not to damage the root stock of the rose bush. Damage often occurs from a weed trimmer or lawn mower that shaves off a portion of the bark.
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