You want to do it when you see the leaf.
} Basics of Pruning Roses Whether you’re pruning roses to reduce the size, deadheading spent blooms, pruning to shape the rose bush pruning tips, or pruning for airflow, you’ll always cut the same way. Using sharp hand pruners, loppers, or a pruning saw (for large branches), cut the branch at back to an outward-facing bud.
Apr 13, Roger shows us an easy way to hard prune a bush rose in spring to encourage more flowers later in the summerAuthor: Roger Crookes. Sep 17, Shrub roses should always be pruned by cutting stems back to a healthy bud. After you cut, look for healthy white wood in the cut. If it is brown, continue to cut until you reach white wood.
Make your cuts at a degree angle, about 1/4 inch above a bud.
Rose Pruning Tips Wear thick gloves and a couple layers of long-sleeve shirts while pruning to avoid the dreaded thorns. Wear safety goggles (or sunglasses), too; branches can whip back unexpectedly. For trimming thin canes and deadheading, hand pruners will get the job done, but loppers or a small hand-saw might be needed for bigger canes.