Repotting Roses.

Having roses has both advantages and disadvantages and undoubtedly roses grow better in the ground, however, they are easier to look after in pots.

When roses are grown in pots, they should be re-potted every three years. In the period they can become root bound and do so much sooner, if they are grown in pots that are too small for the particular rose. The re-potting can be done anytime of the year, however, care must be taken during the heat of summer.

After three years is it is more than likely a potted rose will indicate it has become root bound by the rose losing its vigour, becoming difficult to keep watered and roots growing out of the holes in the bottom of the pot.

When it gets to this stage, re-potting the rose is necessary. Before the rose is re-potted it should be traditionally pruned.

To repot a rose:
• First loosen the sides of the pot. The potting mix should be slightly moist, but not too wet.
• You should wear leather gloves to prevent injury to your hands from prickles (thorns).
• Gently pull the rose out of the pot by pulling from the base of the main canes. This will be an easy task for the miniatures, but more muscle will be needed for repotting the larger and more mature plants, so you may require assistance in this endeavor.
• If you are moving the rose to a larger pot, just put a little potting mix in the bottom of the new pot, insert the plant, fill in the spaces with more potting mixture.
• If the rose is returning to the same sized pot about one third of the root ball should be removed using a sharp spade before returning to it the pot.
• After returning the rose to the pot press down to remove air pockets.
• Once this is done the rose should be liberally watered in with a seaweed solution, followed up on a regular basis by generous watering.

There are many formulas for potting mixtures. One found to be quite good is one containing potting mix and course river sand in the ratio of 2/1 with added blood and bone, *dolomite, Seamungus, soil polymer, water crystals and compost.

• The “pH” of the soil should be tested using a Soil pH Test Kit or a PH Soil Test Meter. If the reading is less than 6 ½ then add dolomite. If it is greater than 7 agricultural sulphur should be added.

The AQ and I along with Laurie Newman planted out 28 roses in total in my recently developed Australian rose bed today. Laurie brought us up three China Sunrise(Newman) roses from Melbourne and planted them for us then we planted the majority of the rest. Our techniques were slightly different so it will be interesting when we compare the roses in six months time.