Question
We would like to transplant our roses. They are in an area that does not appear to be the best and the leaves are being eaten by something. When is the safest time to move them and what do we need to do to make sure the move is a successful one? Thanks for your help.
Shauna
Pacifica
Answer
If you can wait, the best time to transplant your roses is late November or early December. This is the time that they begin their dormancy. You can do all your pruning before you move them and treat them like a bareroot, meaning you won't have to get the entire rootball. It is best to have the holes already prepared, usually about 1' deep and 2' wide. You will want to amend your soil with organic matter such as EB Stone Rose Mix. Additional Alfalfa meal and or bone meal at the bottom of the hole will help the plants "bounce back" rapidly when the weather begins to warm again in February.
As for holes in the leaves, as a general rule, if the middle of the leaves are being eaten it is slugs or snails. If the outer edges of the leaves are being chewed, it is caterpillars. At all of our Sloat locations near you (San Bruno - 675 El Camino Real; 2700 Sloat Blvd, San Francisco) we have products to help fight these insects/bugs. Of course, you can also try plucking them off your plants early in the evening or a bit later with a flashlight too!
I hope this helps steer you in the right direction. And as always, visit our stores for more expert guidance.
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