Can a bit of fire be good for roses?

Well, I don’t think so, if it’s well controlled and doesn’t get too hot. May even be good for them. Do you have a torch? You could try a small test spot.

Living things are generally harmed by flames.

No, it’s actually good for the soil. Part of my garden soil formula is ashes from the firepit.

As long as the trunks of the rose bushes are not scorched which would leave them vulnerable to disease and losing the protective outer bark layer that transports nutrients and water to the bush they should be fine.

The fire was rather intense (wind was blowing some) but only lasted about 30 seconds. Poor rose bush is about dead anyway. The dead stalks hadn’t been removed yet… and they didn’t catch.

@kritiper Well..it’s the time of year for a big pruning but..you could try cutting it back no more than about ⅓rd of the whole bush and watering it really well. Maybe it will come back.

Edit” It is NOT the time of year for a big pruning. That is Jan. for Roses.

Blood and bone. Roses love a bit of blood and bone. Trim the dead bits. You live shit loads further north than Coloma.

Wow. I have a ginormous rose / honeysuckle bush. It was ginormous when I moved in in 1998. No idea how old it is but it too is full of dead twigs and stuff. Never thought of torching it in places.