Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I have five Knockout Rose plants in front of my home that were doing very well for over a year.  But, since August they have begun to drop their leaves (although still blooming) and now look very spindly.  What, if anything can I do?

ANSWER: When roses have a problem and are under stress, the first thing they do to save themselves is to drop their leaves. That means they don't need as much to survive. I don't know where you garden, but if the roses have encountered any stress during the summer, August is usually the time it shows up. Was there a period of high heat? A dry spell? Did the roses not get water for a short spell? All these things can cause the leaves to drop. The thin growth is telling you that the roots need fertilizer or that the water isn't getting down to where the feeder roots can use it. The feeder roots are near the top and most of them about 8 inches below the soil, the rest are just anchor roots. Insects and diseases don't cause a problem like the one you have described. So the logical reason is that the roots are usually complaining about lack of water or are under stress because of climatic conditions. Take a trowel and dig along  side and see if the soil is damp. Roses need about 5 gallons of water per week ( that is a large bucket full) more if there is a hot spell. It is sort of hard to pinpoint your problem as I don't know where you garden. Hope this helps.

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QUESTION: Thank you!  Yes, we did have a dry summer and we have been using soaker hoses, but maybe that was not enough.  I will amend the watering, but what type of fertilizer is best.  Is it too late in the season (Atlanta) for the leaves to return?  Will the plants survive with more water and fertilizer?

Answer
A rose is capable of putting out three sets of leaves so there will be time to grow new ones. Water is most important for roses you will get spindly growth and poor shaped flowers if they are too dry. If they are dry for too long, they the leaves will go yellow but don't worry as the roots will be okay and so the plants will be okay next year. Many people say that Miracle Gro is a good fertilizer for roses. Also I like to spray them with fish fertilizer as that gets to the leaves right away. If you have 6 to 8 weeks of growing weather then I would fertilize them now and then give them a rest.