Rose SOS

[Ger-annie-um]

I ordered a rose for my cousins very big birthday, said rose (canary bird) has been delivered and it's beautiful and HUGE. My problem is I need to transport it to Ireland tomorrow (I checked regs, its fine). My SOS is HOW? In my dreams I thought the rose would be quite small, say 18" incl pot but no this one is a good 34" high. I've reduced the height by cutting the rose back a bit but can I take it out of it's pot and put it in a heavy duty bag for 24hrs after which it'll be in it's new home.

Over to you Grapes

[Nicos]

Hmmmm…..my first thought is that if you post gifts to the EU the recipient often ends up paying loads of import duty. It’s certainly the case in France - I unexpectedly paid 11€ on some curtain rings valued at £1.40

Look into that first maybe? Ireland may be taxing differently to France.

As an alternative David Austin roses are now available from within the EU and could most probably be sent direct from the distributed at no extra cost.

Just a thought.
Sounds like a brilliant supplier - where was it supplied from?

[Ger-annie-um]

Thanks Nicos. The supplier was Country Garden Roses. It was actually David Austin Roses that advised me to go to them as no-one else had this particular rose. I can't post the rose apparently because of import laws but I'm allowed to bring it in myself (sounds a bit mad). My plan right now is to pack it surrounded by bubblewrap, into my larger suitcase and hope for the best. Any, advice would welcomed

Forgot to say Country Garden Roses were brilliant, kept the rose for me until I specified delivery date and it's a beautiful specimen......just bigger than I expected

[Snoop Puss]

It might not look quite as pretty as it does now on arrival, but for sure it will survive. A lovely gift and so much effort. Your cousin will know how much they mean to you and will have a story to tell about the rose in future years.

[Ger-annie-um]

It might not look quite as pretty as it does now on arrival, but for sure it will survive. A lovely gift and so much effort. Your cousin will know how much they mean to you and will have a story to tell about the rose in future years.

It's a rose my late mother had in her garden and my cousin always loved it. Hopefully it will evoke many happy memories........I just need it to survive the train and ferry trip 🤞

[Plot70]

I was gifted with an apple tree in a 13 inch pot in full flower. It was about the same size as your rose.
I was loading the car for the over 200 mile journey home after staying for a few days.
It made it but dropped all the blossom.
It had been replaced by a mail order company after arriving broken at the graft. It had been "patched up" and was recovering.
The compost looked wrong so I added a fist full of local clay soil as apples grow wild locally.
It survived and produced fruit the following year and then none the year after that.
I decided to plant it in the ground where it got hit by a wind blown fence panel over winter. I had to patch the graft up again. This is when the donor told me about the previous graft damage.
It now has a modest crop of fruit and is fully recovered. It may well have had more fruit had we not had late frosts.
It appeared to produce two batches of blossom. It must still be learning out local climate.
I would prune your rose back to where it would be in winter and see if it produces a late flower or two.
It will have chance to get used to the new soil and climate ready for next year.
The pruning will hopefully stop the graft getting damaged.

[Ger-annie-um]

I would prune your rose back to where it would be in winter and see if it produces a late flower or two.
It will have chance to get used to the new soil and climate ready for next year.
The pruning will hopefully stop the graft getting damaged.

I think that's what I'll do, I only need to cut it back a few more inches and it will fit in the case nicely. I'll protect it as best I can with card and bubblewrap. I'll wrap some damp towel around the base too so it doesn't dry out too much.

Wish me luck

[Nicos]

What a wonderful gift! Let us know how you get on….I suggest you print off any paperwork you have for it and maybe the import/ export passport that might have come with it - and a link to the seller, just in case you have problems at the border. It only takes one customs officer in a bad mood to make life difficult for you

I’ve just googled it - what a stunning plant! Your mom had excellent taste!

[nick the grief]

wrap the rootball in cling film it will do too things, 1, Keep the compost moist and 2, keep the compost where it should be. then if you wrap it in some cardboard around the top it should protect the branches OK

[Ger-annie-um]

wrap the rootball in cling film it will do too things, 1, Keep the compost moist and 2, keep the compost where it should be. then if you wrap it in some cardboard around the top it should protect the branches OK

That's pretty much exactly what I did except I put the rootball inside a very strong poly bag and covered it in damp kitchen paper then sealed it up with parcel tape. I had to prune the branches back a bit but also used the bendy soft wire to secure the branches to each other. We then put it in the suitcase and made a sort of cardboard box around the front and sides.

Customs were no bother at all, apparently I'm allowed to bring in plants to Ireland and best of all .......................

THE ROSE SURVIVED 🥳😁😑

[Nicos]

Fantastic news! Well done!