What Can I Do for Over Watered Roses in a Container?

Standing Water

• If the container has been over watered, either by hand watering or by being left out in prolonged rain, remove the saucer under the container and empty it out. Gently tip the pot itself and pour off any standing water on top of the soil. If possible move the pot to a sunny spot where it will not receive any additional water for at least several days. Allow the soil to dry out thoroughly and do not add additional water until the top of the soil is dry and the pot feels somewhat lighter when lifted.

Drainage

• To prevent over watering problems, make sure your containerized rose has adequate drainage. If the container has no drainage holes, remove the plant temporarily, if possible, and create several holes in the bottom. If this is not possible, fill the bottom of the pot with several inches of drainage material -- pot shards, stones, cut-up pieces of plastic nursery cell packs or even polystyrene packing peanuts. Repot the plant and allow to dry out before watering it again.

Container Selection

• If overwatering is a problem, choose containers made of porous materials like terracotta or unglazed pottery, rather than glazed pottery, plastic, cement or metal. Water evaporates more quickly when it can escape via the soil surface and through the minute pores in terracotta or clay pots. Plastic, in particular, tends to retain heat and water extremely efficiently.

Repotting

• If the soil in the container has become compacted, it will dry out less readily. Remove the rose from the pot, making sure that the root ball is intact, and set aside. Wash out the container, add drainage material and refill with potting mix combined with compost or other organic material. Lightening the potting mix in this way aids drainage. If you or family members tend to over water, do not mix polymer crystals or other water-retentive materials into the potting soil.