Question
compassion rose
Hi. I planted a compassion rose plant about 2-3 weeks ago. Over the past two days I noticed some wilting of the leaves. Today I noticed the leaves are browning and drying out. I planted exactly as the instructions indicated. I dug a hole twice the size of the plant. I used miracle gro soil and mixed it with the soil from the hole i dug and carefully filled it around the roots. I also put mulch around the plant. I then put a small amount of fertilizer on top and worked it in slightly with my fingers. Its located in an area that gets 6+ hours of sun a day. When I noticed the leaves wilting, I watered immediately. What could be wrong?
AnswerI don't think there is anything wrong with Compassion, I think it is the mulch. Mulch is a really good idea but it does tend to stop the water going down deep unless the mulch has been well wetted. I use a lot of mulch and I always water the mulch first and then aim the water to the base of the rose. Compassion looks to me like maybe the soil fell away when you planted it. When that happens the plant always goes into shock. Roses transplant best when the soil stays all around the roots in the shape of the pot. However quite often the soil won't and when it falls away, the frail little feeder roots get broken off and the plant goes under stress. What ever the problem is, water your rose daily, even if it looks like it is dying, just keep watering. When you see new growth coming, cut the rose back to where the fresh growth starts. It will probably die back back and dry out for the first couple of inches.
