How to properly move a rose plant bush to new location? How to dig it up?

Question

My Mamma has a rose bush my brother gave her & planted right before he died. She is moving to a condo, how do I replant it without killing it?

Answer 1

Drat, the best time to move something is when it is dormant. Doing so now is a lot more risky. First have a big wide container handy.......wider than a big bucket. The wrap the stems together with soft twine or old panty hose. I'd also cut the canes back to around 18 inches. Dig a wide hole and carefully lift the root ball into the wide container. The soil should be moist, not wet and if you could wrap it before you pulled it up, say with burlap or sheet, that would help. Place in container and add more soil around the edges to keep it from rocking back and forth.......and get it to it's new home ASAP. That is get it planted immediately. Also erect some shade over the top, not total but some. You've lost roots which take in water but the plant still needs water. By reducing sun the evaporation rate is lessened.

Realize when leaves are on the plant it is most vulnerable. You will be cutting off a lot of roots, damaging others. It's iffy at best.

Answer 2

Some suggestions from other gardening sites:

http://www.augustarosesociety.org/faqs.shtml

http://ezinearticles.com/?2-Ways-to-Safely-Transplant-Rose-Bushes-of-Any-Age&id=79532

http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/rosesind/2000025036018430.html