Weak and Floppy Canes
Westerlands
Why standard (tree) roses do not do well in cold growing zones
Winterizing Potted Roses
Yellowing leaves problem
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Weak and Floppy Canes

Question:
Can anyone suggest a cause and remedy for this? We had severe dieback on all roses this past winter in Ontario. Everything seemed to recover (I have shrub roses and climbers) but all the new growth seems very weak and floppy, completely unlike the past eight years. This is also the first year I used slow-release rose fertilizer. Has anyone had a similar occurrence, and can anyone suggest a remedy? 

Answer:
I prune down below the weak and floppy canes hoping that the new growth will be as thick as that from which it's growing. It usually works. Might as well prune off the weak and floppy as it will always be that way.

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Westerlands

Question:
Westerland help! I planted 3 Westerlands in a row having been told by Chamblees that they were Westmoreland and 5-6 ft. shrubs. Later I found out they were Westerlands. Not wanting to move them, I decided to build a fence around them and let them spill over. Now they only bloom at the ends. The fence holds them straight up. Some I have poked through the fence, but they still mainly bloom on the ends. So if I attach them to an arbor they won't be pretty. How do I get them to bloom all the way through? Do I cut them and keep them smaller? What do you do? 

Answer:
Allow them to arch over or peg them. This forces lateral growth on the canes and this growth will produce flowers.

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Why Standard (Tree) Roses Do Not Do Well in Cold Growing Zones

Question:
Why do standard (tree) roses not do well in cold growing zones?

Answer:
The problem with standards is not the hardiness of the rose. It's the exposure of the bud union to the below freezing temperatures in cold growing zones. That plus the fact there are two bud unions on all but J&P standards. J&P has succeeded in developing a standard rootstock that only requires the top bud union but unfortunately that's the one that's most susceptible to freezing and hardest to protect. The bud union on all roses joins two slightly dissimilar tissues. A thin moisture film can form between these tissues. If not protected, a hard freeze can cause this bond to separate thus cutting off moisture and nutrients to the top and killing the bush. A hardy bud union will have to be developed to prevent this.

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Winterizing Potted Roses

Question:
How do I protect my roses in pots? I planted them this year. I have 8 potted and two hanging (green ice and sweet chariot). Do I use leaves that are raked in the fall or use pine bark mulch? For better drainage I have the big pots on two bricks. So there are chances that they might get frozen here in NJ. The roses on the ground do come back every year. But this is the first time I have roses in pots.

Answer: 
I've buried them with excellent success. A ring of wire around the pots then filled with oak leaves also works well. Make sure the ring is large enough to put leaves on the outward side of the pots so they are completely covered and surrounded with them. Or place them in an unheated garage or shed away from light or a window remembering to water occasionally.

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Yellowing Leaves Problem

Question:
Can you please help me diagnose the problem with my roses. The leaves are yellow. I have three bushes of roses in my front yard and all three of them show the same symptoms. Please tell me what's wrong with it. Thank you.

Answer: 
Yellow leaves are symptomatic of many things and nothing. Sometimes the leaves get old, lose their green pigment, turn yellow, and fall off. Or, spider mites can do the same thing especially on the lower leaves in hot dry weather. Turn a leaf over and look at the underside. If you see tiny specks that move you have spider mites. A strong stream from a water wand under the leaves daily for a week will break their breeding cycle. Too much water, or not enough water will turn them yellow also as will start having blackspots. Without seeing them it's hard to diagnose the problem. 

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