Replanting Rose Plant During Vegetation Period

Grafted or not, roses are tough plants and can tolerate plenty of things. When replanting rose plant, it is highly recommended to do it while the rose is dormant. However, if required they can be replanted even during vegetation period.

For replanting to be successful, it is very important to keep the stress level of the plant to minimum.

Published: Jun 23, 2019.

Somewhere in this crowded soil patch, there are two roses that have plenty of room to grow early in the spring and during late autumn, but rest of the time the competition for light, water and nutrients over time has grown IMHO too much for proper growth and flowering.

Very carefully dig around the rose plant, trying to do as less damage as possible to the rose's roots and to the roots of surrounding plants - easier said than done, of course. One of the largest stresses during replanting is the loss of part of the root system. So, if possible, dig as larger root ball as possible. Weed - feel free to remove weed right away or later - remove it with the roots, so that it doesn't grow later again. Also, trim down old and broken branches.

Root ball with the roots - when digging out the plant, try to cause as little damage as possible to the roots and the plant as a whole. Again, this is very easy to say, and much harder to do when the soil patch is so crowded.

Dig out the new hole for the rose plant. Be sure that the hole is slightly wider than root ball and that replanted rose is at the same soil height as before. New position is a garden bed already containing several roses, grape vines, and even a cherry. Rest of the flowers and strawberries were gradually moved to other locations.

Place the rose with the root ball in the hole and check the height - rose should be at the same height as on the previous position. Also, leave enough room around the root ball for roots being out of the 'old' soil.

In suitable bucket mix good potting soil, some compost/humus, NPK fertilizer for roses preferably with gradual release of nutrients and some iron/microelements fertilizer. Such mix will help the plant settle on the new position and quickly grow new leaves, buds and flowers.

Spread soil/fertilizer mix around the root ball and press everything first with your hands and then with your feet, constantly adding new soil. When preparing the mix, be sure to use ingredients/compounds for roses, to achieve desired level of nutrients and soil pH. Note: rose is planted next to the concrete wall, but the wall is very old (to say the least) and the leaching of the calcium/lime is almost not existent. If you plan on planting the plants next to the new(ish) concrete wall, don't forget to check the pH periodically - leached calcium/lime can increase the pH and cause growing/health issues to the plants.

Water the plant thoroughly, especially around the edges of the root ball. The best period for replanting rose and other plants during vegetation period is late in the afternoon, during calm, cloudy weather. Direct sunlight and wind increase water evaporation and increase replanting stress of the plants.

Using the dripping watering system is perhaps the best way to provide constant moisture level for newly replanted rose, but it is not always possible to use it.

One of the simplest tricks to keep the soil moist for several days is to fill large plastic bottle with water and simply push it into the soil, around the edge of the root ball. If the weather is really warm, and watering the plant is not an option for few days, simply use several bottles.

 Replanting 'Bare-Root' Rose Plant During Vegetation

Whenever possible, replanting bare-root plants should be avoided or at least done during their dormant periods.

But, if it has to be done, there are several things to do to avoid losing the plant.

Note: that soil patch was so crowded, that I simply had no other option but to replant bare-root rose plant.

Digging it out: I dig the rose out using bare hands. This helped me to dig out as many roots as possible and to cause as little damage as possible to the plants that are left on the soil patch.

Put the plant into the bucket with plenty of water and some fine potting mix and keep it there for few hours. Some gardeners in situation like this like to add root growth hormone, but personally, if the rose is relatively small, there is no need to add it.

In the evening, dig out suitable hole and position the plant in the hole, taking into account the soil level. Spread the roots around the hole and add good potting mix with some organic matter (compost, humus) and perhaps just a little bit of fertilizer for roses.

Press everything firmly, adding more soil if needed and then water generously. And keep watering the plant for few days, every day.

Also, if the days are warm, put few plastic bottles filled with water around the plant to keep the moisture high during first few days.

 In just few days it will be obvious if replanting was successful or not.

Keep watering replanted plants for week or two, gradually decreasing the amount of water to match the watering of other roses.

And that is all.

For more about the roses, check How to Grow Roses article.