Roses/advice please -Reply

Hi Connie,

I have over 70 roses on my small suburban lot and
they get moved a lot as changes happen (usually
my mind does the changing ;-) ).  

Anyway, according to David Austin (premiere
rosarian) roses "love to be moved."  Probably
because they get a new home, rich with amended
soil and other goodies (if you do your soil work
right).

In your climate, I would move the rose next spring.  I
really don't have much experience with snow and
really cold temperatures, but here, I wait til I see
signs of life next spring, then move it before it gets
too much growth.  Don't do this if you're expect
more severe cold, here in Oregon, I wait until after
March 15, the latest snow we've ever had.

As large as this rose is, I would cut it back to
manageable size (5 canes, 2-3' long each) for two
reasons:  1: for manageability in moving and 
2: once moved it will be easier for the disturbed
roots to support smaller top growth.  

Now, don't get discouraged.  I've had it take
months, where I was sure I'd lost the plant before
they come out of the shock.  Keep watering and
occasionally a low dose of fertilizer wouldn't hurt. 
Most spring back immediately, but larger, older
plants can take a while to recover.

Do dig a wonderful new home for the newly
transplanted rose, 2 x 2 or 3 x 3, what you can
manage, and backfill with some of the soil, but
mostly with mushroom compost, steer manure if
possible (roses are heavy feeders) and bone meal
for root growth.  You probably already know in your
climate where to place the bud union (if it is a
grafted planted). 

Hope this helps.

Susan Saxton
For mine is just a little old-fashioned garden where
the flowers come together to praise the Lord and
teach all who look upon them to do likewise.
Celia Thaxter
1835-1894
>>> <coneh@uswest.net> 10/09/98 07:41am >>>
Hello to all.
Noticed the post on roses yesterday and was a
perfect lead-in for a
problem/concern I have.

I have a 2-3?yr.old Bourbon Rose 'Madame Ernst
Calvat' which is very healthy,and
well established.7-8'tall.
The concern is,I need to transplant it to a different
area..
When would be the best time?Now or spring?
Since this is a rather large plant,will transplanting it
endanger its survival?
How should I best accomplish this task?i.e.Cut
canes back to ______?what
length.Etc.

Anxious in  Idaho,
Connie

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