"huskies4all" wrote in message
ups.com...
We're possibly going to be moving in the next 2 weeks (it's January
21
as I write this)

I have a rose that is a family heirloom; it's been passed down for 4
generations via cuttings or diggings, and it's quite important that
I
keep this plant. It has *huge* sentimental value.

Some of you may remember it; the story is at:
http://huskies4all.blogspot.com/2005...-rosebush.html

SO, what's the best method for me to move this rose and have it
survive? As of now, there are about 6 canes that are coming up from
the ground.

Should I dig the whole sucker up and move it?

Yes. See below.

Should I separate all those canes into individual plants?

Ah - no? From your blog description (nicely
written, by the way!), it sounds like some
variety of old garden rose, and some of those
can/do propagate by runners. But roses I'm
familar with all come from one "stem" so
there's nothing to separate. Better to keep
it all together, I think.

Should I replant it now? (hard, frozen ground)

Ah - no. As a general rule, rose bushes
should be planted when the ground is warm
enough to work. Definitely not while frozen.

Should I store it?
How do I store it?

Help!!

Dig it up. Take as much of a root ball as you
can, but that probably won't be much. Put it in
a large plastic pot (light enough for you to
handle without killing yourself), top off with
potting soil (no fertilizer). It should be dormant
or nearly dormant now so it should be ok in a
pot until you're ready to plant it in the ground, or
you can even keep it in the pot for awhile. Maybe
let it re-establish itself in the pot, then plant it in the
ground when you feel it's healthy again. I've
done that with several roses.

Don't let the soil dry out, but don't keep it
soaking wet. I always use pots with drain
holes. It can stay in a shed or garage while
the outside temps are really cold, but it
should be exposed to sun, especially if/when
it starts to leaf out. Roses require sun.

Do prune it back. The usual rule is prune
back the top about as much as you pruned
the roots when you dug it up. I prune back
as much as I need to be able to handle
a rose bush.

HTH - Gail
near San Antonio TX Zone 8 USA