Hey everyone, I'm still pretty new to gardening, just about two years in. Last year, I had to say goodbye to my dog due to cancer, which was heartbreaking. In his memory, I planted a David Austin Rose by mixing his ashes directly into the soil. I didn't really know much about gardening at the time, and I mixed the ashes with the compost and some rose food. While it bloomed well last year, this year I'm worried because it hasn't shown any new growth yet, even as my other roses are flourishing. I noticed the soil has been really waterlogged, and I didn't drill drainage holes when I planted, which I know is important now. I'm considering re-potting it to let the soil dry out but I'm scared I might damage it in the process. I'd really appreciate your advice on whether it's time to be concerned and what steps I can take to save my rose before it's too late.
5 Answers
You might want to reach out to David Austin directly. They really are the experts with their roses and can offer a lot of support, especially since you purchased from them!
The ashes shouldn't cause an issue, but poor drainage is definitely why the roots might be rotting. Carefully take out the rose, check the roots, trim any bad ones, and let the soil dry out before replanting. Roses are resilient, so don’t give up just yet!
I think the main issue is indeed the lack of drainage. Really important to drill those holes! It sounds like moving the rose to dry out the compost is a solid plan, and I don’t think the ashes are the problem at all.
It doesn't look great, but don’t lose hope! I've had roses bounce back from hard times. Have you tried feeding it? You might contact David Austin; they typically have good guarantees and may help you out if it’s really struggling.
It's likely that the roots have suffered from sitting in water for so long. Try gently removing the rose from the pot and place it in a different spot for a couple weeks. Spread out the compost to dry it out, then replant the rose after mixing in some general fertilizer.
Yeah, it's definitely more about the pot conditions. Just make sure when you replant it, you keep those holes open for healthy growth.