As I learned (from others here), rooting hormone won't help at this point... but you probably didn't hurt it by doing that either, so don't worry too much about that. It only helps plants that have no roots (cuttings). After they form roots, it can stunt growth so you don't want to do that.

Water, water, water at this point. But also make sure it has drainage since now it's in a pot. Since most of the roots are gone, it will have a hard time getting enough water to sustain growth, so it needs more water than usual. I think I read someone else here say it's like drinking through a straw when you're used to being able to gulp water. Cutting it back was a good idea and may help. Just keep it watered and hopefully it will grow new roots.

I'm so sorry that happened!

Thanks. Should I clean off the root hormone and repot? Also, we are going away for 9 days. Should I put the pot into a tray of water so it can absorb it while we're gone, or just soak it before we leave and as soon as we get back?

I think that's a good idea to put a tray under the pot with enough water for 9 days . I am growing some warmer zone roses and some bare root roses in my basement right now, for the warmer zone roses I water them once a week, for the bare root ones I water them every 2 days to give the roots enough water, after the leaves coming out I will water them once a week same as others. I use growing lights for mine. Good luck to yours!

Dave I don't think you need to wash off the root hormone. Just don't apply it again. Going away for nine days and not being able to water it probably isn't going to be good for it. Like Summers, I water anything with root damage every 2 days or so with a good soak... so once every 9 days may not help at this point. Can you have someone come over and water it? Or use a system that waters it while you're away? The tray may help, but something like this may help more...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/4PCS-Terracotta-Watering-Spike-Bottle-Permeation-Irrigation-Stake-Plant-Waterer-for-Vacation/52710225?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1284&adid=22222222228040927226&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=89132956010&wl4=aud-261800282140:pla-209580359570&wl5=9031955&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112561964&wl11=online&wl12=52710225&wl13=&veh=sem

I think you should be able to buy them at any gardening store. It probably won't be enough water, but it will help. Good luck!

That's also a good idea to have a friend water it every day for 9 days. Do you have a rose society (club) in your area? Some rose gardeners might help you. I'd help you if I was nearby.

I am wondering if you could keep it in a bathtub for 9 days, fill the tub with enough water.........I hope the tub is near a window, or keep the light on for 9 days.

Dave is this rose indoors now? How big is the pot? Depending on your indoor temps, it may not need that much water. I notice my indoor stuff in cool rooms stay pretty wet for a while. You may want to try some cuttings as well since this rose is sentimental one :).

In a larger pot in basement near a window. I'll try cuttings

Great ideas! Have a wonderful vacation!

Thanks. I'll update you guys when the rose figures out what it's going to do. Happy new year to everyone

A few drops of SuperThrive in the water might strengthen what's left of the roots, and encourage more to develop. Roses lined the perimeter of my veggie garden until an underground varmint took up residence. One by one, my roses did exactly as yours did - sat on top of the soil with no roots, so at the slightest touch, they fell over. Or, in some cases, the younger bushes were entirely gone. Pulled right down into the tunnels where they could be eaten at leisure. New home owners near me had their landscaper plant roses all along both sides of their very long driveway. The next morning, they went out to check on the roses, and they were all gone. Pulled right down into the ground, leaving only a hole and a few leaves. I was told it's voles, but I don't know if that's correct. Voles are very small. Hope your bush can be saved.

I think voles girdle canes but the pulling the whole plant down the hole sounds like a gopher problem.

Voles ate the roots of many of my roses. The plant blew over in a wind so I checked my other roses. The graft was left but barely. I was able to fit it into a drinking glass when I needed to hydrate it. I let I soak then potted them up in fast draining potting soil and also cut them way back. They bounced right back. I kept them in pots after that.

Don't leave shrubs sitting in water, all it does is leach nutrients out of the plant. And they can drown if left long enough or pick up root rot if the water is infested.

Cutting tops back doesn't help transplants either. In fact it reduces their ability to make new roots. I would have merely re-planted the damaged rose in a shaded position and kept it watered, if needed.

I only left the shrub in water about 12 hours then put it in potting soil. I'm keeping it fairly most but not overly so. The cuttings I also took I have in water.

Wow, ut2nc, Florida is really tough sometimes. Good for you for saving them.

Sheila, this was in SE North Carolina. One of the things that I celebrated when we moved to FL were leaving that very healthy vole colony behind!