Question
I'm pruning my roses. Some are very tall. Is it true that if a branch of a rose bush has no thorns, it is a sucker? I've tried to get down to the bottom of the bush to see if the branch is coming from the base of the bush or from the ground. I can't always identify so I was wondering if the absence of thorns makes a difference. Any help would be appreciated. THANKS!!
Lorraine
Walnut Creek
Answer
Unfortunately, the lack of thorns does not indicate whether you have a sucker or a cane. Many rose bushes will throw almost thornless canes occasionally that produce an umbel of flowers. They are difficult to prune in that they don't always have a well oriented leaf bud scar to make a cut above. You really do have to see if the origin is coming from beneath the bud union or the root zone. These thornless canes are often skinnier than there thorny sisters which makes it even harder to tell. You won't be hurting anything if you feel you must remove it just to be sure.
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