I myself would not know what to do with that rose now.
First off I see exposed roots, that rose wasn't buried near deep enough. It looks like canker is girdling your canes near the crown. Best time for major pruning of roses is in the Spring.
Maybe someone will come along and advise you on what to do.

go back to the thread 'one cane wonders' and read that. I did most all of that stuff and they are coming back. Weak and look awful, but coming along. I may still have to shove some, but at least for now they are showing some life. Good Luck

I'm relatively new to this forum so thank you for your responses!

Firstly, I have seen the term "canker" on many different postings and websites but couldn't seem to find a sufficient explanation for what it is? What type of a rose infection is it?

Regarding the "one cane wonders" it seems the recommendation is epsom salts/alfalfa fertilizer? (is this the correct link? http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/roses/msg0315120815763.html)

What makes this situation a bit more curious is the fact that the three stems turned green last week despite appearing to be dead.

Any other advice would be MUCH appreciated! Thank you all so much!

Ok so it seems "canker" is a type of fungal infection affecting roses. So how do I know if I have a canker infection, or if the plant is just severely damaged by winter snow? And will the plant recuperate or is the damage irreversible?

Also, when using epsom salts, approximately what ratio of salt to water is recommended?

And is Miracle-Gro ok? (Alas, I can't afford the fancy organic fertilizers even though I use my coffee beans, egg shells and other compost materials with my other roses.)

Where in Michigan are you? I'd be happy to drop you off some freebie roses as replacements if you are in the SE MI area.

michigan2010,

When some roses go dormant there canes turn a reddish/purple color, then when Spring/Summer arrive they appear green again. I have one that does that. Maybe that's why your cane appeared green again?
Some websites say to treat canker with chemical rose fungicide sprays , others websites say there is no cure.
Hopefully someone comes along and can give you advice on what to do with that rose.

Since I live in the south, we never prune in the fall, but do recall what we did when I lived above the Mason-Dixon line. I would say, you would be smart to SP the thing rather then spend a lot of money and have it die anyway. When one lives in a particular climate zone, one has to follow the rules and take the precautions prescribed for that zone. Inadvertantly, you messed up, and that's tough, but it's not like roses bushes are a thousand dollars apiece. Yours can be replaced, and I think you should do it.

1. As Jim says, the rose wasn't buried deep enough. In climate zone 5, the top of the graft swelling should be set at minimum 2" below grade to protect it from freeze damage, which can occur at 5-10 degrees on many roses. So unless this is an unusually hardy variety, the plant is probably damaged irreparably.

2. Canker infections of the bark-- there are at least four different fungi that cause it. On the right side of the large central stub, it appears that a canker has girdled the branching stub. However, this might have happened in the wake of freeze damage.

3. Green bark, or green inner bark visible when you cut the cane, indicates life, but a cane or bud union can be alive and yet damaged so that it cannot produce strong shoots. If the plant is viable, it should soon produce growth buds that become thick shoots. Frankly I doubt that the various coddling techniques make any substantial difference to recovery. Healthy, well-adapted plants are going to grow regardless, and the other kind will fail regardless.

4. You probably need to start over. Please give the name of the variety you have, if available. Please tell us what you are looking for in a rose and whether you are willing to spray fungicide regularly, and people might make suggestions.