Dear Sibe,

I have been told that I should not plant a rose where I previously had a rose planted. Can you tell me if this is correct and if so why?

Thanks,

Debi

Our Gardening Expert replies:

Hello Debi,

Whether this is correct really depends on how long the previous rose had been there.
However, it is generally always a good idea to move the new plant to a different location as rose replant sickness can affect subsequently planted roses. This shows itself as depressed growth and by the overall poor condition of plants which can in turn lead to a variety of secondary attacks and infections.

It is thought that the reasons for rose replant sickness are due to the fungi and nematodes that build up in the soil to quite high levels and settle around existing plants. Planting a new rose in a location with already high levels of pests could result in an overwhelming attack and possibly ultimate death of the new plant.

If you really want to put the new rose in exactly the same position, the best thing to do is to completely change the soil for at least, 600mm (2in) all around and 450mm (18in) deep. This may seem like heavy work but in effect you are just digging two holes and swapping the soil between them!

There is still quite a bit of controversy over whether this specific replant sickness is a big problem and some growers believe it affects only certain types of roses or even those grown on certain root stocks. (Many roses you will buy from garden centres are grafted onto a rootstock of a different rose species). Some people think Floribunda roses are less affected than Hybrid Tees, for example.

If you want to be sure, I recommend you change the soil - don't worry about the old soil being a problem for other plants, all the above mentioned problems are quite specific to roses.

Happy gardening!

Sibe

PS For more information and advice on roses see, Black to the Future, Coming Up Roses and Rosy Future.

The top right picture is of a Climbing Floribunda Rose 'Rosa Climbing Iceberg' - available from Crocus.