Rhododendron

JamesL · June 1, 2014

Got a few pictures at just about peak bloom.
Need to move this one this fall so I though I should get a few snaps in case it doesn't make it.

CityBusGarden · June 3, 2014

Looks similar to the one I manged to rescue from a house with the wrecker ball coming. It kind of sat the first years at my house, but has done well.

They have shallow roots and that is the key. Imagine a shallow bowl, starting at the drip line and the size of the plant. That's what's down there.

Have the hole where it's going dug and ready. I took my time drenching all the way around, then gradually worked towards the center and down. On moving day I raked soil off of as much of the root system as I could in order to be able to get the plant up out of the hole. Work a tarp down under and have help pulling it up.

My problem was having only two of us to get the root ball in the back of my van. Once there my buddy held on and I drove. Not far thank goodness. Then it was a four man job getting it uphill to it's new home. But the original two of us were pretty worn out at that point.

The two of us moved another one for a friend later, and that was much easier as it was level ground all the way.

Watch the plant the first days and if it turns out you lost too much root ( wilting), trim off enough of the top to balance things, till the plant has time to recover. After all, low budget commercial landscapers trim rodhies completly to the ground when they get too big, and those plants come back fine. Darn ugly though.

It's been long enough ago, I don't remember for sure, but I think I probably set my gallon jug of vitamin B transplant shock help out by the hose spigot and filled jugs of that mix to water in and repeated by what ever the label said to do. I also remember watching to keep the roots wet through the first couple winters. It rains tons here, but the leaves were protecting the soil under the rhodie. I didn't want it to freeze up dry.

Have faith.. you can do this.

JamesL · June 4, 2014

You moved a big one with a van? I am impressed but my back aches just thinking about it.

This one is bigger than it looks. 81/2 high and 11 wide.
Bucket loader will be required.
Only has to move about 60 feet to my neighbors yard.

June 1, 2014	#1
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Rhododendron Got a few pictures at just about peak bloom. Need to move this one this fall so I though I should get a few snaps in case it doesn't make it.

June 3, 2014	#2
CityBusGarden Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2014 Location: Oregon Posts: 4	Looks similar to the one I manged to rescue from a house with the wrecker ball coming. It kind of sat the first years at my house, but has done well. They have shallow roots and that is the key. Imagine a shallow bowl, starting at the drip line and the size of the plant. That's what's down there. Have the hole where it's going dug and ready. I took my time drenching all the way around, then gradually worked towards the center and down. On moving day I raked soil off of as much of the root system as I could in order to be able to get the plant up out of the hole. Work a tarp down under and have help pulling it up. My problem was having only two of us to get the root ball in the back of my van. Once there my buddy held on and I drove. Not far thank goodness. Then it was a four man job getting it uphill to it's new home. But the original two of us were pretty worn out at that point. The two of us moved another one for a friend later, and that was much easier as it was level ground all the way. Watch the plant the first days and if it turns out you lost too much root ( wilting), trim off enough of the top to balance things, till the plant has time to recover. After all, low budget commercial landscapers trim rodhies completly to the ground when they get too big, and those plants come back fine. Darn ugly though. It's been long enough ago, I don't remember for sure, but I think I probably set my gallon jug of vitamin B transplant shock help out by the hose spigot and filled jugs of that mix to water in and repeated by what ever the label said to do. I also remember watching to keep the roots wet through the first couple winters. It rains tons here, but the leaves were protecting the soil under the rhodie. I didn't want it to freeze up dry. Have faith.. you can do this.

June 4, 2014	#3
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	You moved a big one with a van? I am impressed but my back aches just thinking about it. This one is bigger than it looks. 81/2 high and 11 wide. Bucket loader will be required. Only has to move about 60 feet to my neighbors yard.