Comtesse du Cayla: spoke too soon

13 years ago

I posted a thread a couple of weeks back about how delighted I was that my few chinas and teas made it through the winter surprisingly well. Spoke too soon!

I was surveying Comtesse du Cayla and it did not look very good. Kind of scrawny, a few blooms here and there but the middle cane is green at the top with a bloom or two and brown at the bottom. I can post a picture later, if necessary.

So, it did not do that well and we did not have any cold weather this spring after it warmed up (which we normally do). I can see how it grows over the summer, if it puts on any size and decide later. OR I can dig it out and put it in a huge container for one of my winter "garage" growers and put something else in there.

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Comments (10)

catsrose
13 years ago
I get a lot of winter die back on mine, but she keeps coming back and gets bigger every year despite the winter damage. I have the same poblem with Mutabilis.
jaxondel
13 years ago
I'm wondering if anyone here is super-pleased with CdC . . . She's always been a wimpish prima donna for me (in several gardens). She must perform well for someone, somewhere, so I'd be interested in knowing what she requires to do her best.
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Thanks, Florence. I especially like the two miniatures that are at the back of that photo (they are not in bloom in this pic, but have yellow blooms). Hamp, I saw a group of fairly good-sized 'Comtesse du Cayla' roses a year or two ago at the Fort Worth Botanical Garden. I agree with you, the ones in their garden looked very "tea-like" to me too. I mentioned that one time on GardenWeb and got several comments from others that they think she looks pure china. So, maybe it's just you and I that see the tea in CdC :-) No, I had no idea that the comtesse was a parent of 'La Marne'. Interesting. Randy
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Randy, In northern California Comtesse du Cayla is 8x8 when allowed to grow without restraint. We have to prune the one in the cemetery to keep it within bounds. Anita has contemplated taking out her Comtesse du Cayla in her home garden because it has gotten so large. Since you have colder temps she may not get as large, but be prepared for a plant that could get big. I just uploaded 2 photos to HMF - taken in the cemetery last November - still in bloom at that time. And yes, some afternoon shade would likely aid in not frying the blooms. Janelle Here is a link that might be useful: CdCayla photos on HMF
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That is so odd about DdB, no I don't have any Eucalypts anywhere nearby. I noticed the downward-pointing floppy wilted (yes, also slightly rolled) leaves when it was still in the pot I bought it in and even returned it to the nursery to ask advice. I was sure it must be verticillium wilt or similar. They said it was normal for DdB. I 100% know it had enough water as it was in a pot getting watered everyday! I even watered twice daily to see if I could change the new wilted growth but nothing happened and it wasn't even hot. I had significant misgivings about planting it in the ground, I guess I'll just keep an eye on it!
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Titian, if you have rose replant concerns, maybe Marlorena can speak to the problem. I believe she's mentioned it. If the dieback you refer to is similar to what we struggle with here in the PNW, perhaps you have verticillium wilt? It shows up in our soil and causes shrinking foliage and blooms and then branch dieback. I've seen it take down mature trees in time. Lilacs, roses and many other shrubs plus a variety of perennials and annuals are susceptible. The monumental task of complete soil removal can help if a manageable bed space is the target. (I don't blame you for sidestepping that laborious course of action!) Otherwise, it's recommended that replacement plants are resistant species. However, I have had some success with digging a large hole, removing the old soil and bagging it for disposal, sterilizing my shovel, filling the hole with clean soil and planting a healthy susceptible shrub with undamaged roots since the wilt enters the roots and spreads upward. I'd keep your roses well watered and the ground cleared of debris where the fungus can multiply. I've also read that in warm regions you can put down black plastic for a month or two prior to planting and essentially bake the fungus to death. Like you, I'm not keen on removing soil from large expanses of garden, so one or both of those shortcut approaches would be my preferred method(s). In my experience, roses can survive incredible challenges, even formerly wilt infected beds. Your new teas are lovely choices, and I wish them well! Mrs. BR Cant is a classic and I'd grow her, too, if I lived in your climate. From across the Pacific, I'm cheering you on with your winter chores! Carol
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sonbie
13 years ago
I saw a beautiful bush of her at the Huntington Gardens. Mine is hanging in but needs to get in the ground. I love the coloring and seeing it at HG made me buy her. I got it t the celebration at El Cerrito last year.
Sonbie
User
Original Author
13 years ago
Interesting, my Mutabilis had less winter dieback this year than ever. But Mutabilis is two years older than the Comtesse.
mendocino_rose
13 years ago
Mine was lack lustre for several years but is now huge and full of blooms.
I think teas can have a hard time in climates that aren't perfectly temperate. My climate isn't nearly as cold as Debbie's but there are many cold and very wet days in the winter. All my younger teas suffered this winter.
User
Original Author
13 years ago
So do you all think I should just leave it planted and hope for the best?
buford
13 years ago
My CdC is doing well. It had a nice spring flush and is getting larger by the moment. Just give it time, mine is in it's 3rd year.
jaxondel
13 years ago
Just in case any of the above comments might have caused some confusion . . . CduC is a China, not a Tea.
cweathersby
13 years ago
I'm not in a cold climate, but I think if you leave her in the ground she'll have a better chance of growing strong to better withstand future winters. The roses I've lost due to cold were always babies.
sherryocala
13 years ago
My CdC started out as a tiny band, had a setback, was planted in too much shade and always looked very fragile and delicate, staying small (12"x12") for almost a year. I moved her this spring (maybe February) into a sunnier spot, and she immediately started growing, doubling her size. But she is still a delicately built bush. I say let her be. She can only get stronger.

Sherry

Comtesse du Cayla: spoke too soon

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