I moved some rose bushes yesterday and they're not happy. How can I help them?

[franke]

I knew they wouldn't like it especially at this time of year, but it had to be done. They've gone all droopy, especially the top bits and buds. Should I prune them back a bit? I know they're probably scuppered for this year bloom-wise, but what can I do to ensure their longterm survival? Any ideas?

[snowleopard]

I'm just watching with interest. I attempted to move an acer yesterday and I just know it's going to go very wrong.

[morningpaper]

prune right back I reckon

[Libra1975]

Did you feed them and water them when you moved them?

[NappiesGalore]

lots of soil preparation before you move em and take as big a root ball as possible.

course, thats no good to you now.

do what mp says. hack the fucker back. roses love it when you play hardball.

[franke]

Yes, fed and watered copiously. I've just done a search and there seems to be a debate about whether to prune or not. What worries me is that if I do prune I'll lose all blooms in the future.

[Libra1975]

You could do half pruned and see what happens

Seriously if they were only moved yesterday I would give them a couple of days to "settle in" before taking any action.

[franke]

lol @ playing hardball

[franke]

Okay, I agree. I'll give it a few days (may have to anyway as I should be giving birth some time this week). If there's no improvement then it's out with the secateurs. Thanks all.

[morningpaper]

take the buds off AT LEAST

[BrassicaNapusNapobrassica]

It's probably not a good idea to move any plant in a heatwave. Prune and water, water, water.

[NappiesGalore]

blimey at digging and rose bush moving at 9m pg [impressed]

[franke]

Ahem when I say "I", what I actually mean is I delegated the job of digging up and moving some rose bushes to long-suffering dh. Delegation - it's a valuable management skill

I have been out and snipped all the bushes a bit which I think has outraged them even more. Will monitor over the next few days.

[Uriel]

Use a spray foliar feed as well.

[NappiesGalore]

if spraying a foliar feed, pay ettention to dilute instructions and dont think ' oh, a bit more will be even better for them'. coz it wont. it will burn it.
doh.