QuestionI need tomove a rose plant because it is no getting enough sun.How do I do that without killing it? Thanks Tawnya
AnswerRoses dislike being moved so the best time to transplant a rose is when it is dormant or not growing. That is usually in the late fall or early spring so this is a good time. First have the new hole ready by mixing half a cup of bonemeal in the bottom of the hole for the roots to feed on. Cut the rose back by a half as you can't help damaging the roots and this means the broken roots won't have a large bush to support. Never mind how you get the deep roots out just make sure you get as much as you can of the main feeder roots at the top of the long big roots. Place any type of mulch all around the base of the bush to keep the roots cool as roses do much better when the roots are cool and damp.
Most roses die when they are transplanted because they are not watered enough to keep the roots damp so make sure you give the rose water daily as it will take about 6 weeks for the new feeder roots to grow back so you have to act like feeder roots. Don't give it any fertilizer as the roots will not be able to take it up. If the plant droops or looks like it is dying, just ignore it and keep watering. Some roses may not start into growth again until the summer. Your rose bush won't die but it will sulk because roses hate to be moved.