Hi willuke,

That is called "black spot" and it is one of the most common rose diseases - caused by fungus (fungal spores that splash up from the ground during watering or rain).

Google info

Carol in Jacksonville

Thank you , weird I'm pretty familiar with black spot but I've never seen it look like this before. Usually it's much larger spots and more of the stereotypical look.

Maybe I'm wrong? When I looked at the pictures, I immediately thought black spot. That was my knee-jerk reaction but now I'm not sure. Let's see what others say. If you don't get any good answers here, post it on the Roses Forum.

Carol

It isn't blackspot. Could be nothing to worry about. In fact if it was my rose I wouldn't think anything of it. It might be older leaves. If it gets worse i'd think about applying some potassium or you might want to do that anyway. Also make sure they are getting enough water in this DRY weather. My yard is a dust bowl. My chickens love it but my plants ... not so much.

Thank you all for your thoughts. It certainly is dry , I water every 2 days or so. If I don't they quickly will let me know. I've searched every rose disease listing I can find a few different times and haven't been able to find anything that even remotely looked like the pictures. The issue seems to start at the tip of the leaf with the tiny black the starts to move up the leaf, which is when it starts to yellow and spread. Once it's spread through the whole leaf it turns completely yellow and falls off. Any thoughts on this will be greatly appreciated , because I'm at a loss.

I have a feeling that it is older leaves sacrificing themselves under stress conditions. With the low humidity levels this time of the year watering every day would be a good idea unless your soil retains moisture quite well. I would also go ahead and fertilize if this has not been done recently.

I've removed the effected leaves and will start to water everyday. I use a time released fertilizer coupled with organic matter added every couple months. We'll see if those solutions make the difference. I really appreciate everyone's input.

My husband grows roses in Sarasota. Your leaf looks like a nitrogen deficiency, not a disease. Time release is not enough for roses. Put granular rose food and granular. Water well.

You could also just use Miracle Gro for roses but that would have to be done every two weeks.

This time of year, roses need heavy doses of fertilizer. Time release doesn't do it.

Jane

I don't think it is a nitrogen deficiency. If it was there would be a general yellowing of the whole leaf. Trust me I have seen nitrogen deficiency!! I agree with the rose guy. Re-read his response and take it to heart.

It is NOT a disease DO NOT remove the leaves. Even though the leaves are unsightly they are still working for the plant AND the rose can draw nutrients from those yellowing leaves before they turn all yellow and drop.

Also: Breathe

It isn't that big of a deal ;-)

I'm the least knowledgeable person here regarding roses, so I may be way off the mark and feel free to disregard. This is just drawing off my general gardening experience.

Usually, when plants are dry, all of the leaves droop. Leaves turn yellow and go quickly from yellow to brown and crunchy.

When plants are overwatered, the leaves also turn yellow but there isn't drooping (until they get really, really mad about it).

I don't see any drooping leaves on your plant like you normally would on one that's dry and wants water. Is it possible that you are overwatering? Just a thought...

Carol