Transplanting Roses the Proper Way
Instead of stressing about moving roses from one location to another, we want to show you some simple steps that would make the process easy and successful. Transplanting the rose bush is always a bit scary but if you find yourself in a position of needing to move the plants, perhaps to get better sunlight or because of moving to a new home, do not stress.
For roses to grow strong with magnificent blooms they need the right rosebush care and, they need about six hours of direct plus five hours of indirect sunlight daily. Therefore, to be sure the roses are healthy and strong, they may need to be moved if they were not planted correctly the first time.
One of the first considerations when transplanting roses or rose planting is the soil. In addition to making the hole where the bush would be moved to large enough for the root ball, you also want to make sure the soil is rich in nutrients needed by roses. Then for the healthiest bushes, adding a little bit of compost or bone meal to the bottom of the new hole would be ideal. Next, the day prior to moving the roses, make sure you water them extremely well and once the bush is pulled out of the ground on the day you move it, soak burlap or a cloth with water, wrapping it around the root ball to keep it moist. Otherwise, exposure of the root ball would cause damage or the entire plant to die.
Again, if you water the rose bushes the day before you move them then the root ball should be hydrated so no damage is done. Keep in mind, the process of transplanting roses could result in some bushes not making it. While sad, the weaker bushes would likely have a more difficult time surviving than the healthier bushes. Along with water, you also need to get the hole ready. Of course, the new hole has to be large enough to accommodate the root ball and for giving the roses the best chance of survival and a means to thrive, you might consider putting bone meal and compost in the hole before the bush goes in.
Transplanting roses requires little work and as far as pruning, this would not need to be done until down the road. When you dig up the original rose bush, we also suggest that you dig up as much of the root ball that you can and then place carefully into the new hole. Once the bushes are transplanted, there is a chance that some pruning might be required. For this, simply watch for damage of any portion of the bush dying.
As you set the rose bushes into the soil, make sure the top of the bushes have adequate support so blooms can grow big and strong. If for any reason, the plant starts to look wilted or weak after being moved, you may need to cut the top portion back. Then, when placing the bud union in the ground when transplanting roses, always keep it about two inches above the rim of the hole. Over the following week as the bushes are watered, the soil will naturally start to settle and along with the soil, the bud union would fall into place. At that time, push soil around the plant’s base, covering the roots and giving the rose bush support at the bottom.
While you might not have the opportunity of choosing the time of year for transplanting roses, if possible, move them when they are dormant, a time when they are not growing. This way, risk of the rose bush going into shock is limited.
Therefore, if possible, try to move your roses when they are dormant, giving you strong, healthy bushes. As long as the bushes have adequate sunlight, good soil, the proper size hole, good water, and support, the process of transplanting roses should not be overly difficult.
