I pulled the tree out of the ground yesterday, May 2014 and the root pruning I did in 2012 and 2013 paid off big time. I dug around the tree with a pick ax and it popped right out of the ground with a nice tight root ball consisting of many tiny roots. IâÂÂve also made the decision to train this tree into a formal upright shape so the dual trunks had to go. I was very nervous about this step but it had to be done: I cut the tree in half⦠And I think it looks great! The remaining trunk has nice taper as a result of cutting off the second large branch (itâÂÂs about 6â diameter at the base and 30â tall from the top of the soil). There are no mature branches left so it will take a long time before it evens out but I think the trunk has a good start. IâÂÂm looking for any advice on where to go from here. How do I shape it? When do I re-pot it? Should I cut the trunk shorter or is it a good height? Have I screwed up completely or is the right path?

Hi AMy, and welcome! I did this, (though mine are smaller, tallest one I did this to was 2 ft) and with no special treatment other than watering it in reeeally well, bottom, then top..and putting them in a shady area for about 2 days. The ones I did this to had wound up getting lost in the jungle, the plants in front of & around them just got too big, and the poor babies weren't getting anymore sun! Anyway, they perked up and are doing great now..actually better than they were in the ground. I think it is due to the fact that they are getting more fert while in the pots. It's not all going into the ground all around it, other plants sucking it up..ya know? As far as the roots, I am pretty sure you can trim them with no ill effect, but let's wait for the experts on that one. I just noticed you are in SF, CA..they can stay out all year there correct? If I were you I'd make a new place in the ground for it. I'm no expert..I'm still pretty new myself.. I'm sure they'll chime in though:) Good luck! Daniella

Hi there I would recommed reading the thread named Saving a Potted Gift Rose as that is the type of mini that one buys at grocery stores. (there are usually 3 plants in a pot) It is not nessessary to plant them in the ground as you can keep them in pots but you need to plant it into a 14" or large pot if you have not already done so. Whether you plant the roses in the ground or repot them into bigger pots they may need winter protection. I do not live in your area so I would not be comfortable to give you advise. Do a search on the regular rose forun on winter protecton and you will find the advise you need. Remember, and rose is a rose whether it is a mini or a regular size rose. Roses like sun so where you want to plant them sould be ok. But as I said, you can always just repot into a bigger pot so you can keep it on your porch Good luck, it sounds like you have been doing a good job so far.

Planting into a pot would be a bad idea. Now is a good time to move it - get plenty of the fibrous roots - don't worry about the big ones so much. Make sure you plant it the same way it is facing now, so tie something on the north or mark it with a texta and make sure it is facing the same way. It should be fine as long as it does not have to cope with a sudden lot of hot weather. Robyn