Transplanting Roses Isn’t As Hard As You Might Think
There are many reasons that you might choose to transplant your rose bushes. The roses may be old and fairly large. In some cases transplanting can give the rose a new lease on life. Sometimes you just want to make changes to your garden or rose bed making transplanting a necessity. Whatever the reason there are several things you must do before the actual transplanting occurs.
Decide on the place where you want the transplanted roses to go and be sure the location meets the guidelines for sunlight, drainage and suitability for the area. Prepare the ground for your plant before you dig up the rose. If your plant is being moved to a distant location requiring travel by vehicle, wrap the root ball in burlap to keep the soil moist and protect it. Be sure to water your plant well the day before you plan to move it. This will allow soil to stick to the roots when it is dug. If your plant gets dried out your chances of a successful transplant are doubtful. Adequate water is the secret ingredient that minimizes the shock and demand on the roots. Rose roots grow deep in the soil and so you will probably lose some of them when you dig up your rose plant and you will no doubt lose some of the soil surrounding them. But adequate watering before you dig will allow the plant to absorb enough water, thus increasing the chances of survival.
Transplanting should be done in fall or spring when the plant is dormant and the fall pruning has been done. Local conditions or customs may determine whether you transplant with a ball of dirt or bareroot. Many new roses come in bareroot form and you would need to presoak them overnight before transplanting. Prepare the hole by digging it larger than the root ball. Add compost and one-half cup of bone meal to the bottom of the hole. Arrange the ball so the bud union is about one or two inches above ground level, add soil to within 2 inches of the top, tamp it down and water thoroughly. Add the remaining soil and water again before top dressing with compost or mulch. When digging the plant out, take as much of the root ball as you can handle. It is not necessary to prune healthy plant growth from the top structure in order for the plant to survive. The growth of the plant is important in the production of sugars. If it is necessary to move the rose during the growing season then it should be trimmed back to one third of its normal height. Keep them adequately watered and use some anti-shock plant solution to minimize the shock of being moved. You most likely will lose most of the blooming for the season but they will come back next year.
Most gardeners who enjoy roses agree that transplanting roses during the growing season should be avoided if possible. If you must transplant your rose bushes they will do much better if transplanted while they are dormant and right after they have had their annual pruning. By following these recommendations, your transplanted roses will flourish and add beauty to your garden for years to come.
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