Question
I planted 6 Double Knock Out Rose Bushes a few days ago and now they have nodding bloom heads. When I transplanted them out of the containers they came in, I noted that they were extremely wet and a lot of the soil fell away from the root ball. I managed to pull most of the soil back to the root ball and fill in around it with new soil. Since it was so wet, I did not put allot of water to the bush that day, but have watered around it the few days following. Can you tell me what may be happening to it?


Answer
Most roses hate to be moved and get even by sulking.  The reason it does this is because the transplanting has put the roots into shock. When a rose is in shock, the roots won't or for that matter, can't take up any nutrients or water. It appears that your rose was overwatered in the pot and I suspect the feeder roots were damaged. If you garden in an area that does not have warm weather yet, I wouldn't water your rose a lot. Just about every 5 days give it a small drink. If it still hasn't perked up in a months time, then I would prune it back to about one third as this will activate it into some new growth. Your rose won't die but will adjust and start doing well for you.