Thanks for the clarification MG. Guess I didn't read carefully enough, though on my computer; probably because I'm accessing the site from Canada; the calendar is showing the temperatures in degrees Celcius which I mistook for Farenheight and which is still confusing me. Sorry for the mistake. dmoore, The roses you list are all Hybrid Teas with which I am not very familiar. Many Hybrid Teas are not very cold tolerant, I looked on the Canadian Rose Society website for a list of roses recommended for zones 5 and 6. Of the roses you list above, Elina and Double Delight are recommended, though with some winter protection. You said that you think you may have overfed them in their first year, that is useful information. Your first year roses, especially if heavily fed, probably put out a lot of new growth. New canes are very susceptable to winter kill. I would suggest that since you did bury them more than 2 inches deep that it is quite likely that there are live cane ends below the soil. To check, carefully dig some soil away around the base of the roses until you can see the graft. If there is sound growth below the soil, your roses should come back just fine. If they are alive, cover them back to their original depth and leave them. I personally would not do anything to them until you see new growth. I would expect you will see new growth emerging from below the soil line by late April or early May if they are alive. If they were my roses, I would cut the dead canes back to the surface or slightly lower. Perhaps someone who is more familiar with Hybrid Teas will chime in and give you better advice on pruning, fertilizing, etc. If based on examination, they didn't survive, then I guess you can go rose shopping. Again, I would suggest that you consult with a local rose society for advice about what varieties do well in your area and how to plant them. Good luck with your roses, let us know if you find live canes below the surface. Cheers, Rick

That's a beautiful rose and I hope you can propagate it successfully. In case you're not aware of it, and have not been following the several other threads happening here, right now: Be aware that "Seven Sisters" is a name used throughout the South, mainly by grandmothers, as the name of any pink rose whose correct name they don't know or don't remember. It's truly amazing how many roses get called by that name. And your beautiful rose is one of the many "imposters" -- not to insult the rose -- it's beautiful (maybe better than the "real" SS). But in case you're looking for information on it, be aware that it is not 'Seven Sisters', a rose that has strange leaves that are dull matte, rather fuzzy, and most of the leaflets are convex (as opposed to concave like most other roses and like your rose) -- the leaflets curve like the top half of a pillow on the true SS. Here is a link that might be useful: Redoute's painting of Seven Sisters

Text conversation is often lacking in info, despite current trends ;-) so pardon if I'm stating the obvious... When you say 'self-watering' pot, do you mean it simply has a saucer (I can't tell from the photo)? If so, it won't 'self-water' unless there is a wick to draw the water up into the soil. Most folks around here don't believe in saucers, all too often the water doesn't drain out of the pot well enough and if it doesn't dry out between waterings, its, well, icky. As for your schedule, you don't say, so again pardon, but do you every check the soil first, or just water on a schedule? You can check the soil with a well placed digit or even lift the pot up. Usually, if the pot is too soggy, the leaves will yellow and wilt, the stems will also wilt. If stems start turning black, it's time to change the soil as it has spoiled - too much water will fill up the air pockets, creating a great environment for anaerobic bacteria that, frankly, stink. Roots need air. If the leaves are brown/crispy and falling off and/or the stems start to shrivel, it is not getting enough water. I agree with the above, that four hours direct sun in a reflective patio is probably plenty right now, it has been unusually hot for us. Roseseek has also schooled me on what should be obvious, but really wasn't to me. Plastic and ceramic pots will retain heat from direct sun. Black pots are the worst. Put them on cement and you might as well put your pot on the stove in some weather!!! Basically, those conditions cook the roots. Your pot won't absorb as much heat as black - try holding the pot when the sun has been on it in the heat of the day to check your conditions. Also, if the plant is not root bound, the roots will have a small area of insulation to protect them, if it's root bound, the roots will suffer the heat of the pot. All plant basics, but some times what's common sense to the plant isn't to us ;-) Thanks for dropping in, hope you stick around and start to enjoy roses as much as we do!

They could be rooted but unless you see actual roots on the bottom of the stems now those leaves that are developing are just using the stored energy in the cane itself. If you'd like to try rooting them get a clear plastic cup and punch a hole in the bottom. Fill it with potting or seed starting soil and poke a hole in the center of the soil with a pencil. Take the stem and very gently scrap off just the outer green skin with a knife or scissors exposing the white inner layer. Dip that into some type of rooting hormone and stick it in the hole you made in the soil and gently pack the soil back around the stem. Water it, place it in the sun and keep it evenly moist but not soggy wet and wait. It may take a few weeks to see any roots in the bottom of the cup. If the stem starts to turn brown or black at the soil line that usually means it's rotting and didn't take. If they do root they will grow and bloom like any rose. Good luck!