Question
I have two rose bushes (sorry, they were a gift and I don't know what kind). These roses are in two large pots in my front yard facing south. They get sun and shade and while it's hot and dry here, I water them well.  I have had them for three years now and they've done quite well. This year, however, some of the bud clusters are dying, hanging down on the top of the stems and turning brown.  This is happening on both rose bushes.  What's wrong with my roses?

Also, I recently purchased 1500 ladybugs to take care of the amphids on another rose bush (and anything else the tiny critters may be eating). I placed them in my yard at dusk, per the instructions and I haven't seen one since. Where did my ladybugs  go?

A distressed gardner,

Shannon

Answer
Containers are fine when the rose is a small one or young, but when they get older or larger, the roots start to fill the container and they can clog up the drain holes. Another thing that happens, water is unable to get right down to the bottom of the container because it is stuffed with roots. Because it has happened to both of your roses, I am sure the container is what is causing the problem. Take your hose or a watering can, slowly let it fill the container until you can see the water coming out from the base and running onto the ground. Then fill it up again and see if the buds start to straighten a little the next day. If they do then that is the problem.l The problem with ladybugs is that they don't know the difference between your property and your next door neighbor's. However there should still be some in your garden. Check at the base of the problem rose.