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Transplanting rose trees
We are moving house soon and want to take 3 mature rose trees with us.
From the time we take them out until we are ready to replant at our new premises will be about 4/5 days.
I'm looking for advice as to what would be the best way to
- dig them out
- transport them
- replant them.
From the time we take them out until we are ready to replant at our new premises will be about 4/5 days.
I'm looking for advice as to what would be the best way to
- dig them out
- transport them
- replant them.
0
Posts
First prune them back as you would normally in winter to reduce top growth, then..
1. Dig them out carefully by starting in a wide circle around them, gradually digging deeper and underneath, taking as much of the root ball as you can.
2. Pot up into large plastic nursery pots (the type with handles for ease of moving) retaining the original stake(s) in-situ. For such a short time out the ground a mix of mpc and some grit will be sufficient as they will be heading into dormancy and not need much nutrition.
3. Firm in and water the pots well, then allow to drain.
4. Place pots into a large sack or bin bag and tie this around the trunk and wedge/tie in securely to the sides of the removal van.
5. Prepare the new planting hole in your new place in advance, making it at least half as wide again as the root ball, plant at the same level as before, backfill, firming in as you go then water in well.
Alternatively, rather than temporarily potting up, you could just ‘bare root’ them by washing off all the soil, trimming back the roots, plunging into a bucket of water so that the lower graft is submerged and then wrapping the damp roots in a plastic bag. When you arrive at the new place, again soak the roots in a large plastic bucket or bin until you are ready to plant and plant them out exactly as you would a new bare root rose. They can stay submerged in the bucket for as long as a week in a frost-free place.
Potting them up would give you a more relaxed timescale - you can even leave them in the pots until next Spring - but heavier and more difficult to transport.