Question
Hi Carlene!

I have a question regarding my roses. I have a 25-30 year old rose bush that I have transplanted twice. The most recent transplant just this last August when we moved to our new home. I live in northwest Illinois, right on the Mississippi river. We are zone 5. I cut the bush back, planted it right away and used the root stimulator. I actually brought 2 bushes with me. One is doing fine and has new growth and buds, the other is not doing so hot. I have some kind of pest that has burrowed into the cut stems, directly into the cane, not on the sides of the stem, just on the top cut part. It is on both the live stems and dead ones too. I first would like to know what kind of pest this may be. I have used a systemic insect control (acephate)and another dose of the root stimulator but still have no growth. The rose is not dead, I don't think, because the stems are still green. What do you suggest I do from here, since fall is right around the corner?

Answer
Hi,

For some reason, cane burrowers love rose canes - I believe they are larvae of bees or some other insect.  You need to cut off the infected canes down to the lowest part, and throw the infected part away in the trash can (not compost).  Put carpenter's glue on the cut end of the cane to prevent it from happening again.  This is actually very common pest problem.  You can also spray with an insecticide.  These steps should solve the problem.

Thanks,

Carlene
aka The Flowerlady