The pictures below were taken about a week apart. The nice ones were taken on or about May 31, and the others were taken June 8. As you can see this rose is in extreme distress. While we had an unusually hard winter last winter, the rose blossomed nicely and on schedule and then seems to have withered and is very sick. It was not sprayed or anything like that and we are quite concerned as to what happened to it...any thoughts?
Not sure that is 'distress' as much as 'dead'. Could be the winter took it's toll but it had just enough life in it to put on one last show of green and blooms before it died. Leaving the stems are not helping if it is still alive. I would cut it back by at least 2/3rds and see if it recovers over the spring and summer. If there is no sign of life by then you could dig it up to check for life in the roots.
Does it have caterpillars all over it? I would like to see a close up of the leaves ... are they damaged by insects? It's amazing how quickly a rose bush can change when there is an infestation! Spider mites?
Well it turns out that Tru Green was here last week and the driver said it was mites. He recommended a spray that we bought and sprayed it and are hoping for the best. Thanks for the responses....Joel
OK, after spraying it as pr. the instructions of the TruGreen driver, it is starting to stage a comeback. Green leaves are appearing on it and it appears that it was indeed mites. The guy said that the mites came from the pine trees that we have in the yard. So, if this happens to you, don't despair, just spray for mites and hope for the best....Joel
Wow, so glad it is not dead. It is a beautiful rose. Next year you can do some preventative before those mites set in.
