Question
Hi~ I have a questions about a rose bush I have it is at least 50 to 60 years old and was given to my mother from her great Aunt as a wedding gift and is the last remaining bush of many the she used to have. It was planted vey close to my house and is now very very tall probalby 6-7 ft. and hangs over ver badly the main stalk is probably about 4 inches around. I live in Maine and the snow and I ce are taking it's toll and the bush has almost doubled over I want to move it but I don't want it to die. Any suggestions?
Any anwsers will help thanks :)

Answer
Because the rose has a personal meaning, it would be wise to take some cuttings just to make sure that when you do move it you will have more of the same rose bush. Here is a web site that will tell you how to do it. Take at least 10 cuttings as some may not strike.
http://www.rainyside.com/archives/cuttings.html

The only time you can move the rose with the least problems is when it is dormant and that means early spring before it wakes up. Cut the bush back to about 3 feet tall, just cut right across the whole bush. Then cut out any dead or diseased canes right to the base. Have the new hole ready and make sure the new hole is well watered so the soil is wet as this will be your only chance to get water that far down for the new rose roots. Now dig as much of the rose out as you can. The most important part of the rose is near the top where most of the little feeder roots are, the long roots are mainly anchors in an old rose. Place the rose in the hole and again fill it up with water. Because it has been dug up the feeder roots will have been damaged and will not be able to take up nutrients and water for about 6 weeks. You will have to water, water, water to keep the soil moist for that time. If you think the bush will wobble in spring winds or be top heavy, place a stake and tie it to it. Place some sort of mulch all around the base to keep the soil damp. Don't give it any fertilizer as the roots will be unable to take it up. Wait until it starts to put out brand new growth. Because the rose is very old, it may droop for the whole summer and not start to do anything until the next spring but just ignore it's complaining and keep watering. Moving a very old rose is not a good idea as the chances are very good it will get even with you and die. But if your cutting took then you will always have the rose.