Elizabeth Mulvihill asked 14 years ago
Can you tell me please, how do I recognise suckers on my roses. I have a few new stems which are purple in colour and very flexible. Also they are growing rapidly and are growing just above the root.
1 Answers
Gerry Daly Staff answered 6 years ago
Suckers generally have more leaflets per leaf, narrower leaflets, more thorns and more rapid growth. They arise below or just at the graft union knuckle on the stem.
Suckers should be taken off by pulling away or breaking off, or pruning if this is not possible, while still small and soft, at which stage the thorns are soft. When they have formed they will have to be cut away with a secateurs.
