Transplanted Rose Has Poor Growth

Question

I transplanted five rose bushes three years ago, all from the shaded side of a garage to an area of 60% daytime sun and all in the same soil conditions.  Two of them are doing well and have maintained their size and shape. The other three have become spindly and have never attained a height of greater than 10 inches. I have dutifully fertilized all of them and have kept them clear of insect infestation. Is there an additional fertilizer or treatment I can apply to the three that will assist in their growing ability? I love my roses and have over two dozen in the yard. Yet, these three are giving me the greatest concern.

Answer 1

I have also on numerous occasions transplanted roses even though most gardeners would say shame on us, it is generally considered a taboo. However I have yet to reap any poor results. Maybe this is why, I dig deep and create and even bigger deeper whole. I put nutrient rich water down in hole first then a little bit of standard rose fertilizer. After I have dug up the entire rose bush I then put the roots up to base stem in container of water with miracle grow in a diluted state. I clean up bush at this time trim dead stems etc. Then I carefully pick up rose bush not by stem bark but as a whole and lower into hole.I slowly layer soils on top and around I am fortunate to be able to compost and this is my gem for the health of my plants. I also found a terrific Miracle Grow product just for transplanting. It is a greenish solution I put now in that container as I am soaking roots prior to dropping onto hole. I would recommend moving or transplanting poor performing roses now while still early enough in season otherwise take really good care of failing roses with banana peels till next early spring. But for any rose I highly recommend the best free nutrient they need, potassium or better know to us as banana peels. Also consider staking or supporting your poor stems for strength building.Good Luck.
Suzette Trimmer