Pruning and moving advice please

Discussion in 'Roses' started by Fat Controller, Jan 15, 2018.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2012
    Messages:
    26,216
    Gender:
    Male
    Occupation:
    Public Transport
    Location:
    At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
    Ratings:
    +48,857
    I need the advice of our @wiseowl and other resident rose experts please. I have two roses that I want to move - both have been in situ for about five years, and both have (unintentionally) ended up behind other larger things, so they are not being seen in all their glory, nor are they being pruned or cared for properly.

    So, I want to move them, and believe that now is a good time to do so?

    If so, do I prune them and move them at the same time, or do I do those jobs in a particular order? Also, what size rootball should I be expecting to move, and are there any other things I should do to make the moves successful?
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
    • ARMANDII

      ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

      Joined:
      Jan 12, 2019
      Messages:
      48,096
      Gender:
      Male
      Ratings:
      +100,834
      Yep, now is the time to move established roses and also plant bare root roses. I would prune the roses first mainly because it will make them easier to handle.

      That would depend on the Rose variety and the soil it's in but, in reality, it shouldn't be a huge root ball. When planting the roses make sure you take a note of where the stems are above ground and then replant them at the same depth, while adding some compost to give them some help. Firm the soil around the newly planted roses with a gentle foot.:coffee::snorky:
       
      • Like Like x 3
      • Agree Agree x 1
      • Sheal

        Sheal Total Gardener

        Joined:
        Feb 2, 2011
        Messages:
        35,545
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Beauly, Inverness-shire. Zone 9a
        Ratings:
        +52,310
        This is the guide to pruning that Woo was kind enough to post. You may find it helpful FC. :)

        [​IMG]
         
        • Agree Agree x 2
        • Friendly Friendly x 2
        • Like Like x 1
        • silu

          silu gardening easy...hmmm

          Joined:
          Oct 20, 2010
          Messages:
          3,682
          Gender:
          Female
          Location:
          Igloo
          Ratings:
          +8,083
          I've moved really old established Roses quite a few times. Agree now is a very good time to move them and prune them to make moving easier and also to reduce rocking from the wind. A couple of the Roses I moved were so big I did have to stake them for a couple of years until they had secured themselves again. Try not to plant them where there have been Roses planted before as ground can become Rose sick and moving a Rose to where 1 was recently often doesn't bode well. if you don't have a option but to move them to where other roses have been it helps by changing the soil with soil from another part of the garden where Roses haven't been grown. Wear gloves!:yikes::)
           
          • Like Like x 2
          • Agree Agree x 1
          • wiseowl

            wiseowl FRIENDLY ADMIN Staff Member

            Joined:
            Oct 29, 2006
            Messages:
            44,112
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Philosophy of people
            Location:
            In a barn somewhere in North Kent
            Ratings:
            +89,277
            Morning @Fat Controller my friend you can move them now as they are in their dormant state just as long as we don't have a very cold and frosty weather after you have moved them,IMHO I would prune them to the size you require and then move them,less hassle and no danger of getting tangled up in the long canes,no need to worry about a root ball to much:smile:
             
            • Like Like x 5
            • noisette47

              noisette47 Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Jan 25, 2013
              Messages:
              5,861
              Gender:
              Female
              Location:
              Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine
              Ratings:
              +13,960
              And just as insurance, I'd keep some of the prunings...stems about 1/2" wide, 15" long, and sink them by 2 thirds into some sandy soil where you want rose bushes. IF the others don't take after the move, you'll have replacements, if they do, you've got extra plants on their own roots for free :)
               
              • Like Like x 4
              • Fat Controller

                Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

                Joined:
                May 5, 2012
                Messages:
                26,216
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Public Transport
                Location:
                At me 'puter, GCHQ Ashford Office, Middlesex
                Ratings:
                +48,857
                Thank you all :)

                I won't do it this weekend then, as it is due to be frosty (it is this morning), so I will wait until this cold snap eases a bit.

                Finding sandy soil to put cuttings into won't be easy - my soil is quite heavy/clay type, although I could spare a few pots with a compost/sharp sand mix?

                Do I need to leave any gap between pruning and moving to let the rose recover, or will I get away with it all in the one job?
                 
                • Like Like x 2
                • noisette47

                  noisette47 Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jan 25, 2013
                  Messages:
                  5,861
                  Gender:
                  Female
                  Location:
                  Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine
                  Ratings:
                  +13,960
                  I know the feeling, FC! A slit trench with a bit of sharp sand or compost in the bottom is better than nothing, and less hassle than pots to get the watering right!
                   
                  • Like Like x 3
                  • ARMANDII

                    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

                    Joined:
                    Jan 12, 2019
                    Messages:
                    48,096
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Ratings:
                    +100,834
                    It's a one job thing, FC.:snorky:

                    [​IMG]
                     
                    • Funny Funny x 3
                      Last edited by a moderator: Jan 16, 2018
                    • Gail_68

                      Gail_68 Guest

                      Ratings:
                      +0
                      @Sheal Every winter I let my rose tree leaves fall off and I cut them low in the stems to where new shootings show..like in the picture you've added and if plants have been moved here it's always been September or march/april but they always come back nice each year. :)
                       
                      • Like Like x 2
                      • Friendly Friendly x 1
                      • Sheal

                        Sheal Total Gardener

                        Joined:
                        Feb 2, 2011
                        Messages:
                        35,545
                        Gender:
                        Female
                        Location:
                        Beauly, Inverness-shire. Zone 9a
                        Ratings:
                        +52,310
                        Roses are tolerant of being moved at most times of the year but during summer it's important to keep them well watered until the roots are re-established, they may also stop blooming at this time. Roses are best moved or pruned during the winter months when they are dormant.
                         
                        • Like Like x 1
                        • Agree Agree x 1
                        • Gail_68

                          Gail_68 Guest

                          Ratings:
                          +0
                          @Sheal In the summer our gardens are watered heavy..every other day when the sun goes in besides a lovely climber in the trees and in autumn the colours are gorgeous :)
                           
                          • Like Like x 1
                          • Friendly Friendly x 1
                          Loading...

                          Share This Page

                          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                            Dismiss Notice