Marianne's Response
Knock Outs getting Knocked Out by foolish me
Hi Marianne,
I have 3 large knockout rose bushes (will add picks). My friend delivered them (as large bushes) w/o a root ball. I planted them, one in sunnier ground, two in shadier, wetter ground. The PA weather has been no help. All seemed like they were dying quickly, buds fell off, no new growth. Recently, the one started to grow, the others have not. I can move them to sunnier drier ground. Should I do that now or let them continue to flounder? I will add more pictures in the picture section
Posted by Daniel Bloom on August 23, 2018
Marianne's Response
I do not recommend moving your roses now. Wait until your floundering rose bushes are dormant this winter before doing the transplant. Are the ones "not growing" dropping all leaves and turning brown? If so they may be ready for the compost. Pamper the remaining survivor when you do the move by keeping the soil moist but not wet and using a mulch of wood chips on top of the soil to seal in moisture. Fertilize with a slow release plant food like Osmocote after you transplant the rose. Struggling plants do not need fast acting fertilizers and too much fertilizer can burn their already sensitive roots. Hope you knock this out of the park and your rose hits a home run next summer. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti
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