Question
Hello- I just planted a hybrid tea rose bush from Lowes in my Scottsdale AZ yard.  I planted it with potting soil and rose fertilizer, and it is set up on a drip system (am/pm watering).  When we were planting it part of th root ball broke away.  The very next day the rose buds were wilting and then today the leaves are wilting.  The soil is moist so I think it is getting enough water- What is causing it to wilt?  Will it live?  And then should I cut off those wilting blooms?  Thanks in advance for any advice-

Answer
Roses have two types of roots, one are the long, thick ones that mainly anchor the plant in the ground and the other are tiny white frail looking little roots that take up the water and nutrients. If these get damaged then the plant will wilt because it can't get enough water. Roses especially need a lot of water when just planted as the soil, plus location, will put them under stress. When the root ball fell away, it damaged the little roots and they will take about a month to regrow. In the meantime you will have to make sure the rose is watered daily and the soil is kept damp but not soaking wet. Don't let it bloom because that will take up too much energy and don't give it any fertilizer until you see a lot of new growth coming back. When rose bushes go under stress they stop growing, and taking up nutrients. Yes, you should cut off the blooms and also the buds. It will take time but the rose will not die.