Question
I live in Richmond Virginia (zone 7)

Last fall I purchased by mail a red carpet rose tree and replanted it in a larger pot. It bloomed late into the fall and stayed green all winter. This spring it has begun to drop its small leaves. They turn yellow and down they come. The rose is blooming well, but I am puzzled by the problem with the leaves. I don't believe this is the common "black spot" roses get as there isn't any black on the leaves, only yellow, and the leaves most affected seem to be the very tiny new ones. I have tried watering more, and then less. I have fertilized and sprayed with a rose spray, but still the leaves drop off. The rose gets lots of sun.

You might think from this description that there are no leaves on the rose, but it does still have plenty, but like a good mother, I am worried about those that don't hang on. :) I hope you can advise me as to how to make my rose tree more contented. Thanks in advance.

Sally

Answer
Roses are very easy going, but the one thing they will not tolerate is wet roots. From your description, it sounds like the roots are too wet and that will cause what you describe. What happens is that the frail feeder roots suffocate. Unless you use a potting soil for a plant in a pot, any other will cause the water to pool at the bottom of the pot. Would it be possible to lift the rose out to check if the roots are wet? If not then I would stop watering until you see there are no more yellow leaves. It may even take a few weeks to correct but roses are very drought resistant so not watering will not kill it. Hope this helps. Lynnette