skip to main content

To replant or not to replant? Help!

15 years ago

I have a slope/hill in my backyard by my pond that I wanted to make all rose-y. I planted a few teas there 5 years ago probably (maybe even 6). They are living, but that's it. They've barely grown at all. I think the problem is the hard clay they're in. I did add compost when I planted them and dug as big holes as I could. My question is should I dig them up and try to make holes bigger and better now, or leave them and try to amend soil from the top by just adding compost? Thank you for your help!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

sandy808
15 years ago
I would be more inclined to ammend the top of the soil, perhaps scratching it in some just outside the drip line. Inside the drip line I would be afraid of damaging feeder roots by scratching around, so be careful there. If you cover it with some pine bark the worms will come up and pull the compost under for you. It does take some time, so be patient.

I would also use an organic based fertilizer such as Mills Magic Mix, or Purely Organic (very silmilar to Mills, but much less expensive). Rose Tone is also good, and can be used in combination. You may also want to use a liquid fertilizer (I like the Mills Easy Feed) every couple of weeks or so, to give them a boost until the organics kick in. Water well both before and after feeding.

If you aren't doing so already, irrigating the roses on a regular basis would help also. You would have to judge how much by the drainage you have in your soil....yours is much different than what I deal with.

As a rule, most roses do not like to be disturbed, and I would move them only if they looked like you would lose them otherwise.

Sandy
karenleigh
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you so much, Sandy! That sounds like great advice and is what I will try.

Karen
Related Discussions
Help with re-planting & ID Please!
Q
Comments (5)
ya just put it ground if you live in warm climate. make sure it is deeply compacted and full of soil. then let sit for a few weeks and it should we wilted from the hot sun and transplant shock, chop the old dead leaves and if any green leafs remain after two three weeks you could leave them. if there is no leaves worth keeping just chop it at a pretty good height.
...See More
HELP! (also) new to succulents. Should I attempt to replant?!
Q
Comments (22)
Thanks for the input about the String of Pearls, I've never had any. Leave the Kalanchoe out on top of your DRY mix. It will grow new roots and a new plant. The old leaves will dry up and die; the new ones will root and grow. Let the jade dry up a little and get as much of the old dirt off as you can before re-planting. Not sure what you mean by "washing" but I wouldn't add any additional water to the roots before then. Succulents cannot tolerate too much water, that's the reason you are having to re-pot in the first place. Let them stay dry, resist the urge to water them and let them do their thing. In the summer it is acceptable to water once a week if they are outside getting plenty of sun.
...See More
Please help! Need advice on replanting!
Q
Comments (7)
i had two z4 winters in my z5 MI ... you are way out there on this ... lets try to reign you in ... dig out old.. replant new .. walk away ... use planting guide if needed .. 20 years is a long time.. in tree years.. for a short lived tree ... you base issue .. is that you think all the after affects ... are teh cause of the trees decline ... most likely not ... many things attack a plant.. AFTER they are already stressed or in decline ... but solving the after affects really doesnt address the the cause.. which IMHO .. was age.. and severe weather ... many cherries are very borderline z5 ... but obviously.. if yours lasted 22 years .. it wasnt the case with this one .. just make sure you get the same ... by IDing the latin name ... and insuring you get the right one ... i would not bother removing anymore roots.. than it would take to replant a new one.. properly... see link again ... after 22 years.. might it not be time.. to try something else??? ... lol ... ken https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub
...See More
Gardenia help - replanted some root rot
Q
Comments (9)
Helen, I'm so sorry about your plant. Gardenias are great and it is difficult to watch a plant decline - especially the second one. A couple thoughts: First of all, was this plant in a black nursery pot either before or after the repotting? If not, were either of the pots (before or after) a dark color? And where was it located - in full all-day sun or full half-day sun? Plants do not like cooked roots and every year, right at this time, we get posts from people who say something has suddenly changed with a plant that was doing fine. In late May, when it starts to get really hot, the sun heats up the roots in the pot and the plant deteriorates. Plants do not like cooked roots. Remember, for plants in the ground, the roots never get heated or cooked - they stay cool all the time. So for potted plants, you should do your best to replicate that by using light-colored pots and positioning them, if possible, so that the pot does not heat up. This would be my best guess at what caused the decline of your plant. Second, what kind of potting mix did you use for the repotting? For most readily-available bagged potting mixes, it is best to mix them with some pine bark fines (finely ground pine bark mulch) for better drainage. Walmart sells it in a purple bag. It is labeled "Pine Bark Mulch" but it looks like ground up pine bark. Most plants do not like heavy, thick, mucky potting mixes that retain water forever. Hope your cute little plant revives! Carol in Jacksonville
...See More
sandy808
15 years ago
I'm glad I could help Karen. As I said, it does take some time, sometimes several months before the plant looks as though it is responding. I have two hybrid teas, Tiffany and Queen Elizabeth. Both are on fortuniana, which I know will not do well transplanted. They had sulked for over a year. They are now looking gorgeous. I truly believe the work has to take place underground before we see the effect above ground.

I learned the hard way about not transplanting a rose unless I had to, whether own root or grafted. They either die, or never return to their former glory.

Sandy
jbfoodie
15 years ago
Karen,
I have clay soil here in Northern California. All the roses seem to flourish in it. I do amend by adding organics to the top every year, but there is still lots of clay. I am not on a hillside, however. I have a friend who is trying to grow roses on a hill and she is not able to keep them adequately watered. Consequently, the roses remain small. I wonder if your hillside is a bit too dry? I know roses will not grow without adequate water, so it might be worth checking with a water meter.
Good luck to you,
Joanne
karenleigh
Original Author
15 years ago
Joanne, that could be part of the problem. I will make an effort to keep them watered well this summer. Thank you!

Related Stories

FARM YOUR YARD Advice on Canyon Farming From L.A.'s Vegetable Whisperer

By Annie Thornton

See how a screened garden house and raised beds help an edible garden in a Los Angeles canyon thrive

CONTAINER GARDENS Container Garden Basics: How and When to Water Potted Plants

Confused about soil moisture, the best time to water and what watering device to use? This guide can help

LIFE 6 Tips for Teaching Your Kids to Be Good Neighbors

By Alison Hodgson

Everyone wins when your children learn to respect boundaries, get help when they need it and show others they care

EARTH DAY The Case for Losing the Traditional Lawn

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Work less, help the environment and foster connections by just saying no to typical turf

INSPIRING GARDENS Inside Houzz: A Waterfront Property Ditches the Grass for a Garden

By Annie Thornton

New drought-tolerant plantings and outdoor gathering spaces help this California backyard take in the view without wasting space or water

GARDENING GUIDES Make Sure You Read This Before Buying New Plants

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Follow these 10 plant-selection tips to avoid buyer’s remorse

CHRISTMAS Real vs. Fake: How to Choose the Right Christmas Tree

Pitting flexibility and ease against cost and the environment can leave anyone flummoxed. This Christmas tree breakdown can help

WINTER GARDENING New Year, New Landscape — What to Do in Your January Garden

By Annie Thornton

Whether you've resolved to make over your garden or just enjoy it more, these tasks can help

FALL GARDENING Reflecting on a Gardening Year

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Mistakes and successes, surprises and comforts. The garden helps us grow in new ways every year

GARDENING GUIDES California Gardener's August Checklist

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Share the veggie wealth, help plants sip smartly and don't forget to enjoy the simple pleasure of relaxing in your garden

Sponsored

More Discussions

OGRs and rose shows

18

Banksiaes . . .

4

Pax, hybrid musk, Pemberton, 1918

5

"Elisabeth's China" can be so much fun . . .

4

The curious case of ‘Crépuscule’

4