Question
We planted 2 miniature rose trees and one red rose bush in a planter. They have been doing well until a few days ago. One of the miniature trees is loosing leaves and just looks sick. Still producing flowers but looks thin, meaning the leaves aren't producing. I have had afids and treated them with soapy water. Any suggestions???? We also have given them rose plant food. And they get plenty of water. If we were over watering wouldn't all plants look sick??? I can send a picture if needed. Thanks for your help

Answer
I am assuming that it is only one mini rose tree that is showing signs of poor growth. If the other two roses are growing normally, then you have a sick rose which was probably not a healthy one when you purchased it. However, if the other roses start to look sick, it will be something you did. But it sounds to me like you did everything right. Aphids tend to attack a weakened rose or one that has been given too much fertilizer and has nice, soft new growth. However, soapy water will not get rid of aphids but you will have very clean insects! Aphids reproduce at such a high rate that you will need something like Canola oil to suffocate them. The soap they call for is also a horticultural one but you can substitute Ivory soap for babies. Dishwashing liquids contain all sorts of different chemicals in them so one never knows if they will harm a plant or not.  If you have ladybugs in your garden, place a few on the rose leaves the aphids will be gone overnight.
1 teaspoon of Canola ( no subs as most are too heavy) 3 drops of liquid hand washing soap in 2 quarts of water. Shake well to mix before applying. Spray preferably in morning or late afternoon, not when they sun is on the roses as the mixture could burn the foliage. A good rule for any spraying of roses. Also spray around the base of the rose bushes as there will be some that have been knocked down. Aphids live o the rose not in the soil. If they get bumped off, it takes a long time to climb back up as they are very weak insects.
Over watering mainly causes the rose leaves to go a pale green and then yellow, finally they will fall off. The soil should be damp but not wet. You can tell if you are overwatering but digging down and see if the soil is staying soggy.
If you feel this isn't the answer to your problem, then by all means please send me a photo.