knockout rosebush has clean cuts at stems with flowers

Question

I planted my knockout rose bush early last fall. It was blooming beautiful then about 2-3 weeks ago, I kept finding the stems with flowers and buds that are cut and hanging, but I don’t see any evidence of it otherwise being eaten. HELP!

Answer 1

I have seen squirrels do this sort of thing. Not sure why they do it but sometimes they will. If it were deer they would eat pretty much all of it. The damage I have seen squirrels do to them is just as if someone attacked the rosebushes with pruners. Perhaps getting a motion detecting sprinkler would help, that way when the squirrels or whatever it may be moves in to do some damage they will get a good soaking and run off!