Question
I have 6 red pierre growing in large plastic tubs on my terrace, foilage is dark green with new shoots coming, although the flower buds are forming the stems are turning brown and hence buds dying.I live in melbourne Australia .
They are quite new plants.
Many thanks janine

Answer
From your description, there is a problem with the roots. if the drainage holes are not large enough or even blocked, then the roots will slowly rot away. That usually happens if you have been watering the roses a lot. Roots can produce new growth even when in water but the growth will not be healthy and will rot and die back. Also if the soil in the containers hasn't got enough large particles to allow air to get to the roots, this too will cause problems. if you can, try and dig down to near the roots and see if the soil is really wet or soggy. The soil in containers must drain well or water will allow bacteria to thrive. if water is the reason your roses are dying, then cut the roses right back and take them out of the container. Don't use any of the wet soil again but make up a mixture of half good soil and half course type mulch and this will keep the roots well drained and healthy. Roses need at minimum of 18 inches to allow their roots to go down and grow well. In warm summers, deeper is better as rose roots like to be on the cool side.