What can I do to revive a rosebush that my dog has been urinating on?

Question

I noticed one of my rosebushes was doing terrible so I went to cut the dead leaves off of it, and noticed a really strong urine smell, which I presume my male dog has been urinating on.

Besides cutting off the dead leaves, what should I do to revive my rosebush?

It is a pink knock out rose.

Thanks!

Answer 1

spray the bush with a lot of water, and put a small fence around the rose bush , we had the same problem .

Answer 2

I might risk digging it up and replanting it in soil that your dog can't pee on.  The danger is that your dog has changed the pH of the soil by peeing on the rose, and also of course that the urine has damaged the rose.  The only chance I'd give the rose would be from relocating in a good sunny position in fertile soil and being well-watered.  I wouldn't give it any supplemental food at this time, because that might shock it.  Be aware that there's a good chance the rose won't come back.

Answer 3

Roses are surface rooting plants that, due to this and their many fairly thin leaves, need alot of water to be happy.  They are also fairly heaver feeders.

I'd section off your rose so that your dog won't return,  and then ensure that it gets plenty of water, which will wash some of the urine away.  Urine contains ammonia which will convert to other nitrogen compounds which are less harmful and nitrates, for example, are beneficial to plants.  

Add a mulch if possible, such as manure, or well rotted compost, and this will help replenish the soil, as well as keep the ground moist.  Give it a slow release plant fertiliser, or add fertiliser to water every week or two.  

Over time the ammonia and shock to your plant will disappear.  If it's not so good this year, by next spring it should be fine.  I'd refrain from moving it during the growing season, but you could transplant it in autumn or spring.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!  Rob