It was the water - I doused it down yesterday until I saw water draining out of the bottom of the pot, and within 2 hours it perked right up! I'm so confused about the watering schedule though, I've sheard 14 gallons a week per bush and I've seen 1 deep watering of a gallon or 2 every day - can someone give me more specific watering advice for Phoenix roses? Everywhere I ask or look I get different info, but I think most of my problem is that Phoenix weather calls for special instructions. Is a good deep water every other day enough, or should it be daily considering its in the 90s and climbing towards 100s?

I grow alot of minature roses here in Tucson and two large roses in pots. I water mine every day till the water drains out the bottom. If you are using clay pots they really dry out fast. I use plastic. Roses are pretty tough. I think a half day sun is best in this hot climate. Try increasing the water and see how they do. Linda

One thing that is hard to grasp here are the water needs... in pots especially they are going to need more water... you mulched, which is good... but it's in a pot and the pot is going to be prone to warming which is going to keep the roots a whole lot warmer than if it were in the ground... and that's something to think about if it's a color other than white... the thing with terra cotta is also true... you can't keep those pots wet enough... and the soil is different as well... the soil in my front yard drain extremely fast so I need to water more often... just some things to think about... the backyard is on an every 4 day schedule but will probably be increased when the heat really comes...
Brittany

I think I'll try watering until the pot drains every other day, and keeping it where it is for now. The pot is a glazed clay pot. Its amazing how fast it started stressing as soon as the heat increased...

Four hours of sun in the summer for a potted rose in clay pot is plenty. Will need water every day when hot. If left where it gets 8 hours may need an afternoon soak as well

Roses get really stressed when it gets warm. Want a really big surprise? After you water the plant stick your finger in the dirt.....you will be truly surprised at the temperature inside the pot, sort of like putting your hand in hot water! I no longer used terra cotta or plastic pots.....I used those really light form pots that seem to keep the heat at bay.

I don't have too much experience with roses in containers, but I have grown other plants in containers on the patio. I think your issue might be soil temperature. The roots might be getting too warm with the clay pots.

I work part time at a big-box home improvement store (I won't name) and I regularly encourage customers to shield the clay pots from the sun. I know the plants can take the sun and heat, but I don't think many roots can.

Happy gardening!

I had two rose bushes in pots while living in San Antonio. They were both in clay pots, and the temps were equal to Arizona. I had to water those bushes 2 times a day. In the morning and then again at night. At least once a week I would water with fertilizer mixed with the water to give it a boost. My roses always looked great! If I forgot to water in the morning, they looked really stressed by afternoon. Good Luck with your roses. They are a great plant..

Wow this information is great!