The rose is the queen of garden and balcony plants. However, to ensure that its delicate flowers delight the eye for a long time, proper care is crucial. Over time, the lighting and soil conditions at the respective location may change - then you should transplant the roses. We explain why autumn is the right time for this and how you can properly prepare the plants.
Transplanting roses: Why is moving rose plants necessary
Roses are among the most beautiful permanent bloomers in the garden and in containers. Today there are more than 150 varieties, so everyone can find the right plant. To ensure that the long-lasting rose plants feel comfortable, proper care plays a crucial role. This also includes moving old rose plants. It makes sense to transplant the old roses if:
- The leaves turn yellowand flower production decreases.
- The plant obviously no longer feels comfortable in its current location. For example, because it gets less than 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
- The nature of the soil has changed in recent years. For example, the drainage in the old location is very poor and the roots of the rose may rot.
- Other plants nearby are infested with pests (especially roses in containers).
- The tree has become too large or the tree is being crowded out by other plants. Even if there is root competition, you should transplant the rose.
Unfortunately, the roses are quite demanding and react very sensitively to a change of location. Therefore, you should choose the right time very carefully and prepare the plant early.
When is the right time?
But why is autumn actually the right time for transplanting?
The right time is right after the end of the growing season and just before the start of the dormant period. For garden plants, this is autumn, after the end of the flowering period. For potted plants, transplanting can also take place in late autumn and even in winter during the dormant period, as long as they are kept warm over the winter.
When exactly in autumn should you move the roses? There are several rules you can follow when setting the right time.
- It is best to leave blooming roses in their old location. You can only transplant them after they have faded.
- Withered rose plants are transplanted on a cool, cloudy or rainy day to avoid the stress of drying roots.
- If you have no other choice and need to transplant the rose on a sunny day, then it is best to do it early in the morning or late in the evening when it is cool.
- If you transplant the rose early in the morning, you should protect the plant from the sun for the next few days. An old curtain works well for this purpose.
Transplanting roses: some basic rules
1. Choose onesuitable locationand prepare the space in the garden for the rose plant. The new space in the garden should be unified
- Sunlight:First observe the lighting conditions in the new location for a week - will the rose receive enough direct light every day?
- Soil condition:Take a soil sample and send it to the laboratory. Roses prefer humus-rich soil with a high clay content. However, good drainage is an absolute must - if necessary, you have to work coarse sand into the soil. Immediately before planting, you should also loosen the soil with a shovel and make it more airy. If your garden soil is lacking important nutrients, you can improve it with organic compost. In the fall, however, you can forego additional fertilizing.
- Transplant directly:Prepare everything the day before transplanting so that things can go quickly. You have to dig up the rose plant and place it directly in the new hole. When doing this, cover the roots with a damp cloth to prevent them from being damaged by the sun or dry air.
Prepare the roses for transplanting
You have chosen a suitable new location, now you have to slowly prepare the rose for the move. Proceed as follows:
- Water the roses thoroughly the day before transplanting. If the roots become saturated, they will be much easier to dig up. The soil can also dry out a little by the next morning and no longer stick to the roots.
- Try to protect the roots as much as possible when digging. Take your time when digging and leave the soil at the roots. Avoid shaking the roots or pulling the tree hard.
No pruning before moving
Many hobby gardeners believe that pruning is necessary before transplanting. This should make it easier for the tree to get used to the new location. However, we advise against this. The leaves provide the plant with useful nutrients. Ifcut them off, then the rose will be even more stressed. So it's best to transplant them first and let them recover for about a week. Then you can only cut off dead parts of the plant and possibly only shorten the tips of the shoots.
