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propagating/transplanting rugosa roses #896835
Asked April 09, 2025, 3:39 PM EDT
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thanks for the question. Typically, rugosa roses spread by sucker, new shoots from the roots. By separating a sucker from the mother plant you can propagate new rose bushes. You want as much roots as possible. It sounds like this has been a challenge for you. In this case, I suggest two steps. 1. After identifying a potential shoot, without digging it out, cut the root as close to the mother plant as possible. 2. Allow the plant to grow for a while (3-4 weeks) as it grows more roots, then dig it up and transplant it.
Thank you for suggesting the method of cutting the sucker off from the mother plant weeks before digging and transplanting it. I have some follow up questions in the same regard if I may.
This photo shows how 2 plants I planted nearly 20 years ago have spread out on their own. In previous years I’ve tried to clear out the expansion along the street curb; this year I hope hoping to clear out new plants growing along the sidewalk.
Here’s an example of the greatest amount of growth I see as of today, April 19th.
How do I determine a sucker’s readiness to be cut? Is this example showing enough growth to enable this sucker to be cut off from the mother plant? Should I have cut it already or should I wait a while?
How do I identify healthy shoots from unhealthy ones? Should I just cut ones with rosehips likes this out completely?
How about ones like this?
Assuming the suckers I do cut off survive for 3-4 weeks and I transplant them elsewhere on the boulevard, when and what would be a good time to apply fertilizer to them as well as the original plants, and what type would be good to use?
From: ask=<personal data hidden> On Behalf Of Ask Extension
Sent: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 10:08 PM
To: jplinn
Subject: Re: propagating/transplanting rugosa roses (#0166751)
Those are all good questions. If they are showing green buds/growth they will be good candidates to cut from the mother plant. It is a bit of a gamble as to which are the best. I would go ahead and cut some and see how they do. My experience they will grow but you really won't know how many roots they have until you get them out of the ground. Take what you get! No need to fertilize a plant that is stressed due to transplanting. It needs time to establish more roots. As a general rule trees and shrubs do not need fertilizer. The sure away to know is to do a soil test, about $20 at UMN. In lieu of a soil test - watch the plant's growth this summer. If it alive but not growing very much then next spring as it starts to grow give it some nitrogen fertilizer. Nitrogen is first number on a fertilizer package. Blood meal is a good organic fertilizer rich in nitrogen. Rosehips or not I don't think makes a difference.
I see in the photo the existing plants are well mulch. This is a wonder practice with many benefits to the plants. I wish you nothing but good luck!
Paul
