How to replant roses?

Brenda McDevitt
by Brenda McDevitt

I have two rose bushes that I fear are on their last leg. I thought about digging them up and planting them in a pot and bringing them into my house for the winter. Trying to nurse them back to health. Do you think they will survive coming into the house?

  5 answers
  • Joy30150932 Joy30150932 on Oct 02, 2018

    Your chances are slim. In the Spring try putting a rose fertilizer around the base of the plants to see if this does not perk them up. You can also dig in some banana peels around the base too. After the first frost, mulch them for the winter, depending on where you live.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Oct 02, 2018

    Hi Brenda! Are you sure they aren't just going dormant? Or were they not doing well during growing season?

    • Brenda McDevitt Brenda McDevitt on Oct 03, 2018

      They mean a lot to me and when we moved I dug them and brought them with us but they just can’t seem to get on their feet. The soil is sandy and I put lots of composted soil in when I replanted them, they’ve been fertilized and sprayed for bugs. I know they need to be moved to a sunnier location but am afraid to replant again and it’s October now and I don’t know if they’ll make it this late in the year. This was year two since I last moved them. Thanks for any and all input

  • Linda Sikut Linda Sikut on Oct 02, 2018

    HI Brenda,

    Most varieties of roses don't do well indoors except for mini's. This first link is about helping older roses to come back.

    https://homeguides.sfgate.com/rejuvenate-old-roses-44453.html


    If you want to try bring the roses inside, here's another article on that topic.

    https://blog.fantasticgardeners.co.uk/how-to-grow-roses-indoors/


    Wishing you the best. -Linda

  • 1401470 1401470 on Oct 02, 2018

    You can nurse them back to health without bringing them indoors. It's a great time of year to transplant roses, early spring is also good. If you think they may need more sunlight choose a new location and fertilize the soil ahead of time.


    I like to soak the roots when moving from ground to new location and once transplanted wait another week to trim back any dead leaves or black/brown stems.

  • Deanna Nassar Deanna Nassar on Oct 03, 2018

    May be better to move in spring. For now trim back and cover with leaves, pine needles, or mulch. Meanwhile prepare their new home with compost and rose food(type of fertilizer). Move when chance of frost is gone. Water deeply and put some mulch around base of plant. Trim off any dead wood.