By Liz Ernst
Copyright 2010 all rights reserved
Avoiding the pitfalls of transplanting roses
Whether you’re trying to position them for better sun exposure, or moving across town and taking your beloved blooms with you, transplanting roses is a tricky undertaking. Without careful planning and a willingness to adhere to some very specific tips, your roses run the risk of not surviving the transfer. Before you begin pulling up root balls, prepare yourself for the task at hand with some expert gardening advice on transplanting roses.
Prepare the new soil in which you plan to place your roses ahead of time. The most delicate task is removing the massive root system without damaging it too much. It’s best to transplant your roses after sunset if you can. If the root ball is exposed to harsh daylight rays, it can die in the transfer. Adding bone meal can give the roots a boost – one cup is great. Mix the bone meal into the soil at the very bottom of the receiving hole, where the roots will get maximum benefit.
To transport your plant by car, prepare ahead by watering it thoroughly the day before the move. When you extract the root ball from the ground, wrap it in moistened burlap to hold in as much water as possible during the transplant process.
Water is the number one key to transplanting safely. If you have healthy roses to begin with, if you watered it thoroughly one day in advance and it has a full supply of water upon its removal from the ground, it can avoid the kind of unnecessary stress that might interfere with its endurance.
Upon removing your rose plant from its original bed, try to take with it as much of the root ball as you can. Do not prune anything before the transfer. Any growth on the plant is going to provide the naturally occurring enzymes and sugars necessary to keep the plant healthy, particularly under stressful conditions. When the plant is settled in its new soil, watch its tips. If you see any signs of wilting, you will know it is struggling to support its upper half. If the plant appears to be struggling, step up the watering regiment and prune any wilted spots that don’t regenerate.
When placing your rose plant in the ground, lift it slightly higher than it was in its previous garden spot. This will allow it to settle naturally into the new spot. Check that the bud union is between one and two inches higher than the soil, and after the plant has been watered and settles, gently press down on the plant to close out any air pockets.
Veteran rose growers say that transplanting roses should be done, ideally, with the first pruning in early spring. Uprooting roses and moving them to a new location during growing season can cause severe harm. It is better to perform the transplant after the last winter frost when they are in a state of hibernation, with no growth going on. Plus, once they’ve has the first spring pruning, they travel better. If you have no choice, you can transplant roses in season by following all the precautions mentioned here. Remember to plan, provide water, and work after the sun has set
to lessen trauma.
###
