There are many reasons why moving older rose bushes or stocks can make sense. However, you don't need to fear this step, because the plants usually cope with being moved quite well - provided you follow a few important rules that should make moving easier for your roses.

Roses are best transplanted in the fall

Transplant roses in autumn if possible

The first step is choosing a suitable point in time. Roses should not only be replanted in autumn if possible, but should also be transplanted when the vegetation is dormant. Between October and the beginning of December, a rose copes with the shock of transplanting much more easily, and it also has the chance to develop new roots in good time before winter and to sprout again the following spring. Another advantage of transplanting in autumn is that the rose is neither subject to heat stress (such as in late spring or even summer) nor is it in danger of drying out due to a lack of water and nutrients.

The pruning is done before the transfer

Although you should always try to transplant the rose as much as possible without damaging it, especially the roots, this will not be entirely feasible - there will always be some damage, the more, the older the plant is. However, bent or even severed roots also mean that the rose can absorb less water and nutrients, which is why you have to cut back the shoots above ground and, above all, remove leaves and any remaining flowers. After digging up, it is also important to prune the roots. Shortening torn or crushed roots ensures that they are less susceptible to pathogens and also encourages new growth.

Carefully dig out the rose bush

After pruning, you can finally dig up the rose. To do this, first dig a ditch around the rose bush, which should be about one to two spades deep - the older the rose, the larger the diameter of the circle and the deeper the ditch. Also cut through the roots of the plant so that they are not torn off when you lift them out - the sensitive fine roots in front of you are affected much more than when cutting through. Finally, lever the rose bush out of the hole with the help of a digging fork. Any remaining soil can be left on the roots, as this will make it easier for the rose to grow in the new location later.

Transport and store roses correctly

If you don't plant the rose in the new location right away, but instead want to or have to store it or even transport it to a new location, it is best to pack the rootstock in damp cloths. These are also enclosed in a plastic bag to protect them from drying out. Roses do not necessarily need to be potted for transport, you can also leave them bare-rooted. However, after such an action, before planting, it makes sense to thoroughly water the rose by placing the rootstock in a bucket of water for a few hours.

Transplant rose successfully at the new location

Planting at the new location also requires thorough preparation. This not only includes choosing the right location, but also carefully loosening the soil and, if necessary, improving it. Dig the soil as deep as possible and crumble up coarse crumbs with a rake. Work on a larger area and not just selectively so that your rose can grow more easily in the loose soil. It continues as follows:

  • The planting hole should be twice the size of the root ball
  • and also so deep that the roots are not kinked when planting.
  • Improve the excavation with rose soil and/or sand, depending on the soil conditions.
  • Also, add some compost and a handful or two of horn shavings ($39.99).
  • Shake the rose as you fill in the soil so that there are no cavities.
  • The planting area is then heavily compacted.
  • Now pile the rose up to the shoot tips to protect it from the winter cold.
  • This mound of earth remains until late spring and is usually eroded by the rain alone.
  • Also, cover the rose with some fir or spruce twigs.
  • Freshly planted roses should also be watered vigorously.

Young roses cope with a change of location more easily

Young roses that have been in one location for less than five years usually cope better with a move than older specimens. Young plants have less thick and long roots (especially their taproot is not that long yet), but more fibrous roots that lie closer to the surface. The older a specimen, the thicker its roots are and the deeper they reach into the ground. If you want to be on the safe side or have to transplant a rose that is very rare or very old (and difficult or impossible to obtain), it is best to cut cuttings or sticks and preserve the plant in this way.

tips

Make sure that the grafting point - unless it is an ungrafted rose - is about five centimeters below the surface of the earth when planting again.

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Vegetable garden