What Is A Five-leaf Junction On A Rose?

Question

Your article on pruning roses describes how to prune roses above a five-leaf junction. Please define this term. What is a five leaf junction? According to Dictionary.com the word “leaf” has many definitions. Here are the first four: noun, plural leaves [leevz]. 1. one of the expanded, usually green organs borne by the stem of a plant. 2. any similar or corresponding lateral outgrowth of a stem. 3. a petal: a rose leaf. 4. leaves collectively; foliage. What is a “five-leaf function?”

Answer 1

The five-leaf junction refers to the leaflets along the stems of the roses. If you'll notice as you look down a stem, the number of leaves in a leaflet increases the further you look down the stem. For example, at the top of the stem there are only three leaves. Keep looking down the stem till you see a leaflet with 5 leaves. You will make your cut right above where that leaflet joins the stem.