They all bloomed at the end of May and they were so beautiful and I kept watering and watering them and then sometime two weeks ago, I put compost on them and two days later all the roses turned black and died....
Did the whole bush die or just the flowers. It is possible the compost was too strong and you burned them, if that is the case with a light pruning they should put out new growth. It may be a temporary set back and not the end of the bush.
Only the flowers died......so how do I handle this...can I still prune them and get more flowers.... so the compost burned them...
Just cut them like you would when the flower dies naturally, find the first set of five leaves with an outward facing bud and cut just above the leaves.
I use a compost/mature mix. It does sound like you burned them. How are you doing it? Ive heard some say they mix the compost in with the soil. I dont. I lay the compost/mature mix around the base of the rose and water well. Their might be another reason for them to die. Rose usually have one sometimes two (depending on the rose) blooming periods. Mine first one was spring. They then just stood there not doing much and now they are going through their second blooming period. Alot of ppl think, roses will bloom from spring to winter. This isnt true for most roses. And how much water are they getting?? Too much can turn them colors and kill the blooms and not enough will do the same. You can tell by touching the dead blooms which is true. And by looking at the leaves, youll know if they arent getting enough. So, having said that. How do your leaves look?? If the leaves are fine, then they are just doing what roses do. Is there a way you can take a pick of the bush so I can see the leaves?
Sorry about your roses, and reading along maybe they are not dead. I grow roses, but don't have anything to add. It looks like you are being well taken care of by the rose lovers here! I just moved a whole rose garden yesterday, and I know I should not have but I never have the patience to do things at the time of the year you are supposed to. I am watering and lightly fertilizing. You can water roses too much also. Once a week, a good soaker is best. Mine are all droopy right now and I cut the flowers all off. Oh, well, I know some will make it because I've done it before. If I could just make up my mind where I want things and quit moving them around so much my life would be much simpler....hehe Good luck with your roses! I sure hope they come back for you!
