Expert: Mike Mascio - 5/10/2010

Question
Hello Mr.Mascio. My question is about my Long Stem Rose Bush I planted 9-10 months ago. When I bought it at Home Depot,it was about 18-20 inches high,& had 3 nice long stemmed buds ready to start opening. I did just as the instructions said,(Soaked the ground/hole,and put plant food before planting). 10-12 days later,
while practicing soccer with my son,the Rose bush was accidentally
hit with the ball a couple times,breaking all 3 long buds on the bush. I pruned the branches where they broke,and cared for the bush as instructed. I planted it where I had planted another Rose Bush,that died 3-4 weeks after planting. A few months after planting the 2nd Rose Bush,new shoots came out of the ground a few inches behind it,(from the 1st Bush)and I let them grow through the fall/winter till now. The problem I have,is the Long Stem Rose Bush has not grown at all. It is still the same size,
but hasn't died. It is still green,and only about 6-8 inches high.
Do I still wait and see what happens,or do I dig it up,and start over again with a new Rose Bush? Thank you sincerely,for your time & help. R Cerra

Answer
If suckers (underground growth) have surfaced from the old plant, the new plant is competing with it for nutrients. That will definitely stunt it's growth. My advice is to move the plant, preferably to an area that gets at least 10 hours of sunlight. Follow the same exact procedures you did the first time. It may not produce abundantly this year due to transplant shock, but in the long run, it would be the best thing for the plant.

Good luck, and please write again if i can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike