How to Transplant a Blooming Rose Bush
The ideal time to transplant a rose bush is during its dormant phase. The likelihood of transplant shock is drastically reduced when the plant is not budding, flowering or developing new roots. Occasionally a rose bush must be moved when it is in full bloom. To help reduce stress to the plant, choose an overcast day or begin early in the morning, before the sun has a chance to rob the plant of water. Keep the roots moist and covered to reduce water loss. Work quickly, but carefully, to safely transplant the rose bush. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Pour water around the base of the rose until it begins to pool, indicating the saturation of the surrounding soil. Repeat this process daily, starting two to three days prior to the transplant. Give the roots time to absorb as much water as possible before the move. Once exposed to the open air, the tissues will rapidly dry out.
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Remove any dead or dying blossoms. Use a pair of clean, sharp pruning shears to thin the shrub by cutting off any damaged or diseased branches. Place the blades near the base of the unwanted branch. Hold the handles at a 45 degree angle and snip the foliage away. You do not want to prune a blooming bush too severely, as cutting away too much could reduce the odds of a successful transplant, with the plant re-growing canes rather than establishing new roots.
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Dig a hole at the new location that is larger than the root ball of the rose you are transplanting. While the appropriate size of the hole will vary somewhat depending on the proportions of the shrub being moved, the transplant site should be at least 2 feet wide and 1 ½ feet deep in order to accommodate a fully grown rose bush. Let the size of your particular shrub be your guide.
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Mix compost into the excavated soil, creating a 50/50 blend.
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Place the blade of a sturdy shovel approximately 12 inches from the base of the rose bush. Push the shovel into the ground. Wiggle the handle of the shovel back and forth to loosen the soil. Work your way around the shrub, creating a large circle of loose dirt. Use this circle as your guide to dig a shallow trench around the rose bush, digging down about 18 inches. Use pruning shears to sever any large roots you encounter.
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Slide the blade of the shovel beneath the base of the shrub. Twist the blade slightly to release the roots. Press down on the handle and gently lift the shrub from the soil. Do not shake the plant or brush the soil away from the roots.
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Transport the shrub to its new location. If this will take longer than 20 minutes, wrap the roots in damp burlap to help keep them moist, and remove the burlap just before planting. Set the shrub in the hole. Ensure that it is sitting at the same height as it was in its former home. If this is not the case, add or remove soil from the planting site until the shrub is properly positioned.
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Distribute the excavated soil evenly around the roots, back-filling the hole with the compost mixture. Press down on the soil occasionally, removing any potential air pockets.
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Water the rose bush thoroughly. Add water as needed for three to four weeks to keep the soil at the planting site evenly moist. Once the shrub shows signs of new growth, reduce the watering schedule. Allowing the soil to dry out slightly before watering encourages healthy root growth.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not leave the fragile roots of the rose baking in the sun while you prepare the hole for the transplant.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
