The roots, stems and leaves of a rose plant all work together for the plant's continued growth, productivity and increase in size. Roots, of course, not only anchor the plant in the soil but also absorb dissolved nutrients from water present in the soil. These nutrients are then carried upward and throughout the stems of the plant in specialized cells. At the same time, leaves are taking in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converting it into sugars and other "foods" which can be transported throughout the plant in a type of specialized cell. Not all absorbed nutrients and synthesized substances (such as sugars) are used immediately, however. Some are stored in tissues of roots and stems to be used at some later time. Proteins, for example, are put together from glucose sugar which is produced by the leaves. They are vital to the production of new plant cells. As the plant grows these proteins can be stored in the wood and bark cells toward the end of growing season- when no new growth is being produced but while leaves are still manufacturing sugars.When growing resumes in spring the plant draws upon the stored protein because there are no leaves to start immediately producing proteins needed for growth. If you prune heavily, you impose several hardships on your rose plant. You have thrown away much of the plant's stored reserves (those in the stems) for starting off springgrowth. This forces the plant to rely upon reserves stored in the roots for the initial growth push and since the root system enlarges in proportion to size of the plant, remember the leaves manufacture "foods" that contribute to the growth of the entire plant. Continual heavy pruning results in a small root system with small amounts of stored nutrients to call upon in spring. Heavily pruned plants produce a more limited amount of growth in the first flush. This means fewer leaves will be there to begin manufacturing growing substance for additional newgrowth.
By Joe Kirkland, Little Rock, Arkansas, Central Arkansas Rose Society
Beaty Fertilizer Co., Inc.