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Forgot to prep soil before transplanting...

16 years ago

Being a novice gardener, I got so excited about moving things around in the garden of my new house that I didn't prepare the soil before transplanting anything. Now my 6' tall rose bush is wilting about 3" all around. I've read online that watering is the key, but should I also dig the rose back up and prepare the soil properly or am I likely to kill it more quickly if I do that? Please help. Thanks.

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Comments (6)

katefisher
16 years ago
When did you transplant the rose? If you planted it in warm weather to a sunny location it might just be transplant shock.
Did you give it a major drink when you planted it?

Kate
catsrose
16 years ago
Sounds like transplant shock, which can happen even without warm weather/sun. Unless your soil is solid sand, rock or clay, the rose will probably be fine. Add a few drops of Superthrive next couple of times you water. Don't overwater!
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Was anyone going to comment on the spacing? I am giong to plant blueberries this year as well. My conditions are: 30 feet along a southern exposure wall, fill grade dirt with patchy grass, slope that drops 3 feet over an 11 foot span. I'm not sure of ph. I have not done a soil test...yet. I will add sulfer, ferts, organic matter, etc. I'd prefer not to use peat because of environmental impact but will make certain that ph comes down to optimum levels. How closely should I plant? How big will the bush be in circumfrence? (I'm a firm believer that if plant matter is kept off of house structures, it greatly reduces amount of bugs in the home.) I've tried to space all plantings off of the house by 1.5-2 feet (just enough to walk through without having to turn your shoulders). I would like to take 'my rules' into consideration when planting these blues as well but need to know an average sprall. I think I'm going to go with Gulfcoast but am also considering Misty. Thanks Kristiina P.S. I'm not hyjacking the thread...this one question seemed to be missed amist all of the soil prep discussion.
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Oh, I generally agree hoosier, thus the "personally". ;) I'm not discounting him out of hand, but must admit that the logic of parts of the recommendation escapes me. I just don't like the moisture problems I find with peat (renewable/nonrenewable resource debate aside) and can't generally recommend the use of lime without a soil test first to document its need as that can lead to serious problems. Peat, one can toss around without doing much harm (except to the resource itself) but indiscriminate lime use has real problems attached. Mommasue doesn't indicate where she lives so we can't ID the general nature of soil acidity/alkalinity in her area but just because the "local guru's" garden soil may be too acidic doesn't mean hers is. But more in question for me is that, in this case, using both would just cancel each other out - peat makes it more acidic & lime makes it more alkaline??? Bit of a contradiction there. ;) Add to that the slow acting nature of both amendments and the fast acting, viable alternatives available I honestly can't see much benefit to adding them to a planting hole. Best bet is to go back to the local guru and ask for specific proportions for the additives he/she recommended and ask him if he would take the time to explain the "why" for each. Good learning for future use. ;)
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jbcarr
16 years ago
Sounds like this was a big bush in the ground and you moved it? Definitely transplant shock. I would not dig it back up, but I would make sure it has adequate drainage- i.e. did not plant too deep. I doubt it is wilting because you did nothing to the soil. Most of the soil preparation we do is over rated, and lots of research suggests its not beneficial in the long run. New-home-construction-subsoil is one exception in my opinion. The most common thing I have had to modify is raise the pH. I also modify the soil if I have a picky plant such as daphne, where I will go so far as to make raised areas of commercial potting soil.
Jean Marion (z6a Idaho)
16 years ago
You should cut your bush down to about 12" tall. Otherwise you are probably going to lose it...
berndoodle
16 years ago
And don't put any fertilizer on your stressed rose! Mist it, keep it well-watered without drowning, and it will be fine. I've been bare-rooting roses in pots that were contaminated by noxious weeds for weeks. The key is keeping them properly hydrated while the feeder roots re-establish (in 2-3 weeks). Don't prune them. Avoid spraying them. Just let them do what they do naturally.
roseman
16 years ago
This is not cause to call 9-1-1. Add the amendments now and work them in. The roses will be just fine, believe me.

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