Question
QUESTION: My husband bought me two rose "trees" a week ago. I didn't put them in the ground (yet), but I did put them in larger pots and they get the afternoon sun. I used Miracle Grow moisture control soil. The nursery recommended I give them SUPERthrive to assist them with the transplant, and to spray them with "Cloud Cover". The first few days of weather were in the 80's and they were fine. But the weather has heated up into the 90's and the blooms are drying up as fast as they open. I did give them Miracle Grow and I am giving them about a gallon of water per day. I just noticed that the leaves are turning yellow. I live in Lake Arrowhead, CA. on a mountain, about 5,300 ft. elevation. Per Sunset, I am zone 3a.  Shall I move these roses to another area so they don't get afternoon sun?  I don't have much luck with growing anything and have has roses die on me in the past. I really want to save these beauties!

ANSWER: What you are describing is normal for a rose to do when it is under stress and high heat always causes stress for roses. I would put them where they get filtered sun even dappled shade until you have decided where to plant them. I would also not use anymore chemicals on them as they may be re-acting to them. When roses are in stress they won't take up chemicals as well as when they are growing normally and the chemicals can cause stress to the roots. Getting them out of the sun is the first thing to do. Continue to water them every three days but take a bucket of water and pour it in until you see it coming out of the bottom of the pot. When you are watering also hose down all of the rose tree. I know the rose books say not to because it causes fungal diseases but that has been proven to be incorrect. The rose will also take up water through it's leaves. If in your garden you get very hot weather and you feel you may not have good luck with the trees, then plant them where they get only morning and late afternoon sun and they will do well for you with that amount of sunshine..

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QUESTION: I have moved them. Do you think I could re-introduce these rose trees to this sunny location in the fall or early next Spring and have them successful in this space next summer? My neighbors have established roses in the full afternoon sun, so I am hopeful.

Answer
I would plant your roses when they have dropped their leaves in the fall. This gives them more time to settle into their new location. The problem with tree roses is that there are grown by budding the modern rose on top of a Rugosa rose cane. The tree rose has to take up the nutrients along the tall under stock which has no protection from the heat. An average rose would have leaves to shade the stems. Tree roses are more difficult to grow than bush ones so you give them a little extra protection from hot sun. You also get more and better blooms when they are not in full afternoon sun. Just be aware that if they are in full sun and have any wilting or other problems, it will be the heat of the sun that is causing it.