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Transplanting Roses

12 years ago

So I should have researched this before I did it, but I didn't, so now I just need to know if I can fix it! I had a rose bush whose roots were getting tangled up with the stump of a mimosa tree. We're trying to remove the mimosa tree, so I was trying to free up the rose roots from it. I managed to do that, but part of the root broke off. There is still a quite substantial amount of root left.

The thing is, I was trying to save the rose so it wouldn't get destroyed when we removed the mimosa, because they belonged to my husband's grandmother, and my FIL said I couldn't kill it. As soon as I got it out of the ground, I moved it to another site I had prepared by digging a deep enough hole, and then I covered it with dirt and poured water with epsom salt over the new site.

Now the rose bush looks like it's dying. All the leaves and petals have withered. They look like a dozen roses when the water in the vase dries up and they start to turn brown and brittle.

I'm sure now that I did this incorrectly, there is no question about that. The question now, is can I fix this? Is it just transplant shock, or something like that? Or have my good intentions backfired?

Thanks for any advice.

PS: I tried to search the forum before I posted this, but when I clicked the link it said "page could not be found." I'm not sure if it's my computer or your website, but I DID try!!! So sorry if the question has been answered, I couldn't use the search feature.

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Comments (7)

ilovemyroses
12 years ago
whenever i move a rose, i give it a major pruning. at least half, or more, and take out any canes i can do without. take half the leaves out of what is left, and just know, at this time of year. it will not look good for quite some time. i mulch and water it well, and if i feel it can take it, i give it some root stimulator. and i keep an eye on it for quite some time. and, other than a dainty bess i think i wanted to kill....most of mine make it just fine, even in the heat of summer if watered well, etc.

so, that is what i recommend...imho. a BIG OLE pruning job and root stimulator and let it recoup!! good luck!

i don't know anything about the epsom salts...what is that about? i just don't know that routine!
wanttogarden
12 years ago
My experience with transplanting a non dormant rose with disturbed/damage root ball:

Their ability to extract water from soil has been compromised, they drink water like a cut flower. Water it few times a day and/or when wilted. Do not rely on soil moisture. A make shift shade/ sun protector may be useful too. After root system reestablishes, (wilting will decrease), feed it with very week liquid fertilizer; about 1/3 to 1/4 of strength every few weeks for a while. You and your rose should be fine.

FJ
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I'm not in your zone either, but I do know that in California the greatest help you can give the roses would be water and shade. If the place you want to put the roses has full sun, root competition, or poor soil, that's a compelling reason to keep them in the pots to recover. Many folks put artificial shade over plants after transplanting, like a lawn chair that lets in some dappled sunlight, and that can help the transition. My inclination would be to leave them in the pots to recover as long as they're not hanging out of the pots or otherwise terribly cramped in the case of the last two (a larger pot might help then). That way you can move them around to get them in better conditions more easily. Crisping or even dropping most of their leaves in the transition process is pretty common after transplanting, and I've had roses survive even losing most of their canes when moved. If you're not good at watering pots (like me) that might be a reason to put them in the rose bed as a better chance of survival. Cynthia
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Idon't see why not. Just be sure to water well before and after and try to get as much root as possible. I'm transplanting Cornus Mass that starting to leaf out and they seem to have handle it well. Go for it, but don't delay too much more. P.S. I don't know what it is from that picture.
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Thanks both for your input. Yep I always thought you wanted to plant at container level but I have read a few threads here of people planting roses deeper in cold zones. Also, I did purchase another Austin this spring and it had the instructions to plant it deeper as HalloBlondie mentioned. I did that for the new roses, but the ones I will be moving in the spring were originally not planted deep. I am thinking I should go ahead and plant deep once I move them which would be early spring. I am not sure there will be live growth to come above the ground at that time though. Maybe I will protect them especially well to try to get more above ground growth saved. I have very little top growth surviving on roses except for William Baffin. I think I might be more 5a. I do have fairly heavy clay soil, but they will be on a slope, definitely not a low spot. I have been heavily amending the area the past few years. This area was my vegetable garden but I would like to squeeze in some roses because the deer are enjoying my roses more than I am.
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Removing them from pots to be planted in the ground is ideal. The best case scenario would be that the root balls remain intact so the roots aren't terribly disturbed. Keep them well watered and treat them as you would any other rose in your zone and all should be just fine.
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catsrose
12 years ago
I have moved many non-dormat roses, much as you have, and last year I bought a bunch of Euro-Desert's transplants during the summer. They were all treated the same way. Most have made it; some did not. I have no idea what goes right or wrong. But I wish you the best of luck. You should cut it way back, as suggested and you should try rooting some of the cuttings.
rlmeals
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks y'all!!! So there IS hope! I will do all of these things and pray for the best! Now...if I can only lie through my teeth with confidence that I promise it will be just fine, when my FIL asks about it ;-) Ha ha!!!

Thank you for helping out a newbie, I really do appreciate it!
medusa11365
12 years ago
I'm notorious for moving roses -- they look like hell for a while, plenty of wilted leaves, some die back. Gotta keep watering every day for at least 2-3 weeks (as long as you have draining soil), then still every day, every other day for another couple of weeks, then you can start treating more normally. This happens even when I move in the spring before growth has taken off. Don't give up!
diane_nj 6b/7a
12 years ago
No more epsom salts or any other fertilizers. Just water until you see new growth.
socks
12 years ago
Give it some time. A bit of shade from the direct sun every day would be helpful.

Rose bushes are tough and want to live. All is not lost.

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