Here's something that surprised me. We've all learned to make those diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch above the node when we prune. This usually takes a little more acrobatic skill than a flat cut (at least it does for me). Fallon said those diagonal cuts not only are unnecessary, but also can have a detrimental impact on the rose. They leave more open surface exposed to disease and pests than a flat cut.
We used to hear that flat cuts were bad because those points on the rose were then exposed to the falling rain, but rain rarely falls absolutely vertically. Around here, it comes in from all directions, as does the fog, not to mention the water from my hose or sprinkler, so a diagonal cut doesn't really protect anything from moisture.
The other new thing I heard was about those leaves we're supposed to pick up at the base of each rose bush if we want to avoid black spot and mildew. Fallon said that only the green leaves have to be picked up. If they're already yellow or brown, no disease spores will grow on them, so they can be left as mulch or cleared away for aesthetic reasons, but it makes no difference whether you pick them up or leave them on the ground.
