Question
QUESTION: Hello, I really need some help quickly.  I believe my rose tree is almost completely dead.  From one day to the next it started turning black and the leaves just dried up. This happened last week.  Does it have root rot and if so, can I do anything to help it?  Thank you very much.

ANSWER: I am assuming that if your rose is on the porch it is in a pot. When a rose acts the way yours has done then it is always something to do with the roots such as too much water. Take the rose out of the pot and inspect the roots. If you see gooey black roots cut them all off until the inside looks clean. See if the pot it is in has at least three drainage holes. Wash the pot out with bleach and water such as one cup to 4 quarts of water. Try and loosen the roots as sometimes they will be in a tight ball in the pot. Again even with the clean ones cut off the tips say about an inch. Fill the pot up with a bag of potting soil as this will be sterile and have good drainage. Cut back the top hard leaving about 8 inches of the main canes. You do this because the roots after being cut (if they are dead) will have too hard a time keeping a large rose head alive. Then place the rose where it won't get the hot afternoon sun. Just keep the soil moist not wet. Spray the top part with something like fish fertilizer as the leaves will take up this liquid immediately. It may or may not be too late but this should solve the problem if it is root rot. The only other thing that it may have would be a fungal problem, then any rose fungicide for black spot needs to be sprayed on the rose but first I would check the roots. Hope this helps.

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QUESTION: Hello, I live in Arizona, I believe, zone 9.  Well, I followed all the advise which you gave me.  I guess it didn't have root rot because none of the roots were gooey.  They are black though.  I did notice that all the drain holes were clogged up.  I guess the tree wasn't getting any drainage and that's probably what caused it to start dying so quickly.  The soil was very wet and kind of smelled like it was getting rotten.  I did clean the pot and pan out like you suggested with bleach and water.  

I took off some soil that was around the tree and planted it.  I used Moisture Control Miracle Grow Potting Soil.  Is that okay?  My question is now, should I water it after planting or not because it was so wet?  Also, I only have about 6 stems that are longer than 8 inches, they are about 10-12 inches because I had just trimmed them a couple weeks ago.  The stems are pretty much black now, just a tiny bit of green on the tip of a couple.  I bought the fish fertilizer like you said, should I spray that on still?  Thank you so very much, do you think there still be a chance for this tree to live?
ANSWER: Alas your rose did have root rot the colour of the roots will tell you that they are dead. Some people call root rot black root. The soil sounds perfect and you are right, just let it dry out completely. Keep in mind that roses can grow back from only 2 inches of cane even one inch so don't be afraid to cut off more. What you are doing here is trying to save a rose that is dying but could possibly be saved. Again you are right, the leaves are going to take up the fish fertilizer and if there are no leaves there is no use spraying. However you could use the fish on the soil after the pot have dried out. The problem you are fighting is that the long stalk is a Rugosa rose which doesn't like certain conditions but the top is a modern rose which would have put up with wet feet longer than the Rugosa. So in reality you are growing a Rugosa not a modern rose. Keep fighting here may be no hope but roses do have vigour and may bounce back for you.

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QUESTION: Oh my goodness!  I didn't think it had root rot because the roots weren't gooey, so I didn't cut them down until they were clean.  A few of them came off though and I kind of loosened them also.  I have already replanted it, now what should I do?  

Also, I watered it after replanting it because I hadn't heard back from you.  I waited until the evening and when I didn't get an answer, I thought maybe I should give it a litte water since it was dry potting soil.  I only watered it one quart.  I believe the tree is in a 15 gallon pot, so it wasn't very much water.  Thank you very much.
ANSWER: I hate to tell you but it would be a wisdom to take the rose out of the pot again and trim off all the roots back to the white inside. Bleach again and re-pot. Never mind about the watering it won't hurt because, as you said,  the soil was dry.

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QUESTION: Hello, when you say white inside, do you mean that the root will still look black on the outside, but white on the inside?  I checked my other rose tree which is doing fine and the roots also look black?  

Also, please let me know when I should water and if I should use Miracle Grow Rose Fertilizer that you put in a spray bottle when I water it for the first time?  Thank you very much.
ANSWER: Healthy rose roots should look brown on the outside and whitish on the inside. If your roots have any brownish colour on the inside then they are dead. Keep cutting until they is no dicolouration at all. You may have to cut a lot off but keep in mind that most of the big roots are just anchors it is the small feeder roots near the top that do the job of keeping a rose alive. You could always cut a root off the rose that is doing well to check and see what a healthy root looks like.
Don't fertilize the rose in the pot as you want the roots to grow again and rose fertilizers only encourage the top growth. The rose must have new roots to survive. When you see leaves coming that is the time to start your spraying with miracle gro. Next spring continue your usually routine with watering and fertilizing.

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QUESTION: Hello, would it be okay for me to take the tree out of the pot again and this time completely shake off all the dirt around the roots and rinse the roots off with water so I can see what color they are.  That way I'll know how much to cut?  It is hard because the dirt is so dark and it makes it look like the roots are all black.  Can I rinse the roots off with water?  Thank you.
ANSWER: A very good idea Marisia, now why didn't I think of that. Yes, by all means wash the roots off and that way you will also be sure to get rid of any fungus that is in the soil.

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QUESTION: Hello, I have dug the tree up again and I have rinsed off all the roots and trimmed them.  The small ones do seem to be dark brown, not black.  The bigger ones are dark brown also, however when I trimmed them, they were only light brown on the inside, not white.  

I did water it just a little bit because when I replanted it, the roots did not have any water at all.  Is that okay?  Also, when should I give it some more water, I mean is it like a first time planted plant that I should water real good?   Thank you.
ANSWER: Your are doing everything right. I wouldn't soak the container, just water it until you see the water draining out of the holes in the pot. If the weather is hot then you will have to do it daily. If it isn't hot, simply water about every three days. Wait until you see the new growth and then you can treat it normally in regards to watering. Don't forget that the roots you cut off are mainly the anchor ones, the important feeder roots are close to the top and they are the ones which need the water. With all the effort you have put into this rose you should have saved it.

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QUESTION: Dear Lynnette, thank you so very much for all of your help.  I truly appreciate it.  I guess if I would have gone on line and researched it a week before I did, I probably would have caught it a lot sooner.  I really want to thank you so much for all your suggestions.  I would love to be able to e-mail you and let you know if the tree survives, is there a way for me to do that?  It is very hot here right now in Arizona, so I guess I will water it every other day because now I am terrified of over watering it!  

Lynnette, how much should I water rose trees when they are healthy?  I was thinking once a week, a lot in the summer once a week and a little in the winter, once a week,what do you think?
ANSWER: Do let me know and all you have to do is write me at AllExperts as I will keep your emails and remember you. Again you are doing the right thing for the rose. Normally I would say water a potted rose once a day when the temperature gets hot but in your case I wouldn't. Root rot is a fungus and they like wet conditions so right now they are dying and that is the way you want it. When you think the rose is ready for normal upkeep, then once a week watering so it dribbles out the drainage holes will be perfect. In the winter just keep the soil slightly moist as you just want to wet the feeder roots near the top. So stick your finger in the pot every two weeks and if it still feels moist then don't water. Wait until the top is totally dry and then pour the water in until it drains. I would think once a month would be enough but I don't know how warm your winters are.

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QUESTION: Okay Lynnette, so in the summer I can water them once a day and in the winter I can water them approximately once a month depending on the wetness of the soil correct?  In the summer should I water until I see water coming out of the bottom daily?  I'm sorry for all these question.  Thank you.

Answer
First let us not forget we are trying to bring back to life a very sick rose. Please don't be sad if the tree rose dies. It was not your fault. Be satisfied that you have tried  and done everything you could do to save it.
You have the watering routine correct. Many times you think you have soaked the pot well but if isn't doesn't come out the bottom holes the water has not reach the very bottom. With this weird weather everyone is getting, growing roses has not been easy. This is the first year I have ever had loads of mildew on the roses as I garden in a windy area. But because of a strange spring, I have got loads of it. Sudden hot spells or lots of rain all have an effect on roses, none of it good.