Can I prune roses now?

[TheAugusta]

Bush and patio roses - if I prune them now is that good, or will I be taking the bits off which make it flower later? Help! They are a bit straggly but the branches mainly look green and like there are leafy bits growing from them.

I have just spent the morning taking off any straggly weak bits, I think it should be fine

Yes, you're still OK if you don't leave it too long. If they're bush type roses they usually flower on this year's wood. Start by taking out any dead wood, then make sure there are no crossing branches which will rub against each other. Then prune as you think is needed. Cut just above a "leafy bit", once which is facing outwards rather than into the centre of the bush. Make a sloping cut, higher on the side of the leaf bud. Don't worry about getting it wrong - they're quite forgiving.

If they're rambler of climbing roses, they flower on side branches growing off the main stems. They don't need as much pruning. Take out messy twiggy bits if you want, but don't be too drastic on the main branches.

Monty did it last week. he said yes as long as they're not ramblers

Monty did it last week. he said yes as long as they're not ramblers because they flower on side branches from the main branches and there isn't time now to grow new side branches.