QuestionI had a matched set of gorgeous pink double knock out roses potted on either side of my garage for the past year. I came home last night and the winds wer gusting so hard, they had snapped one of the rose stakes in half and it was laying at a 90 degree angle. I dug down as far as I could and didn't see that the actual stem was broken, just the stake. The wind was blowing so hard I had to take drastic action, so I grabbed a metal rod (used for tiki torches) and staked the rose back up in its pot (I know its bad to restake roses because you could damage the roots - desperate times call for desperate measures). It POURED down rain all night. This morning, the entire rose bush is drooping significantly. Is there anything I can do to save my rose topiary? Its a matched pair, so if I lose one, I'll have to replace them both which would be very sad!
AnswerI hope I understand your question. The wind storm knocked over the rose so that it was laying nearly on the ground. You straightened it up and re-staked it again. If that is the question then do not worry about the roots being damaged by the stake as they won't be. I would move the rose, if possible, out of the sun into a sheltered area, press the roots down firmly so there is no air pockets because they were yanked on and then water daily to keep the soil damp but not wet. Don't give the rose any fertilizer as it is under stress and can't take it up. Keep an eye on it and keep up the watering even if the rose look sad. When you see good strong growth coming, cut back to that growth any dead or still limp leaves. If you want to you can also give the matching rose the same haircut so they look like a pair. If the pot is too large and you can't move it, then place some sort of cover with thin bridal veil material over the rose as a shelter from any other nasty weather. Just make a sort of chicken wire cage like shelter. It should perk up but it may take time if the weather keeping bugging it. Just don't give up no matter how bad it looks.
