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Moving container rose embedded in patio

B3B3 Posts: 27,505
in Plants
I have a mature rose (Margaret Merrill) that has burrowed its way out of a container and into the patio. It's been there a long time and the main root is quite thick. It's in the shade of a large acer now -alive but not particularly happy.
What are my options?
Leave and top dress
Cut it out and plant in the ground
Cut it out and repot.

I don't want to dig up the patio to get it out.

In London. Keen but lazy.

Posts

  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    edited January 2021
    ..of your options, 2 or 3 would be best...  this is not a problem if you're prepared to take drastic action.
    ..you will need to lift the pot somewhat to get a pruner or lopper, saw?.. in there and sever the taproot going into your patio.. cutting it right off..
    ...you will then need to remove rose from pot... the pot may have to be destroyed to get it out...  depends what you're working with ..
    ...when retrieved, you can be thoroughly ruthless with it... removing old compost, trimming roots back, pruning the top growth back to about 1 foot,  returning it to a large bare root specimen.. with as much old compost scraped off...
    ...at this point.. repot with fresh compost or plant in ground..

    ..best of luck..
    East Anglia, England
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Thanks @philippasmith2. I do have another MM in the ground so it wouldn't be a tragedy to lose it. I assume if I'm going to do it, winter is the best time. It's pretty much dormant now.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Thanks @Marlorena. That's just what I hoped would be the thing to do.
    I'll whack the container with a club hammer and see what's what when the soil is removed.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • arneilarneil Posts: 313
    We actually moved an Acer that had grown out into the wall by doing what you say , the tap root was very thick 
    three years later it is still thriving , so I would think you should go ahead
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Wouldn't mind moving the acer back a few feet but I think we're beyond that.😕 it was a little job suffering in a container so I bunged it in the nearest available space to live or die. It chose an extremely full and fruitful life . Gives the patio an enclosed feel though - which is good.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505

    She's  alive!!😃
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    edited June 2021
    A happy ending!
    I'm  going  to 'barish root' move another one that's in the wrong place this winter too 

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Always nice to see a happy ending  :)
    Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and go for it.
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