Question From: Groton, Connecticut, United States
Q: I was given two climbing rose bushes with trellaces from my job (home depot). So they are still in pots and were neglected water wise. They are still quite green but the leaves are very limp. The blooms are also dehydrated and limp most are dead. How do I save these roses?
A: First soak them in a bucket of water overnight and see if the leaves perk up. If they do, plant them in soil enriched with compost - good quality compost, in an area that gets at least 6 hours of sun a day. Water them daily for a week and then every other day for another week. Hopefully your soil drains well. Plant them 2 inches deeper than they are planted in the pots. They need 5 gallons of water a week. I would do this in two sessions. Mulch with 3 inches of wood chips - none of that painted crap. After the first bloom feed them with Espoma Rose tone. An occasional foliar feed with liquid fish and kelp fertilizer with perk them up. Good Luck and tell those who care for the plant at home depot it's criminal not to water the plants. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy.
