hi thanks for response, its been an outside plant for quite a few years now. though I did bring it indoors for about a month during the coldest part of winter? You think that could have done it?

Rae Anna, I do have the issue of thrips in certain roses, and have battled them for years. The worst affected roses in my garden are Evelyn, The Prince, Augusta Luise (a little), and occasionally a couple of other roses. Here are some things I've found out over the years: by the time you have thrips infection symptoms, it's too late. The tiny insects are inside the buds and blooms. They use rasping mouthparts to suck juices from the rose, and leave the ugly brown areas behind as the result. Spraying on surface acting insecticides, whether organic (like Spinosad) or non-organic, doesn't work. You have to use a systemic that gets inside the rose before the buds are made by the plant. What works for me is Bonide Granular Systemic Insecticide (on Amazon, and Walmart carries it, too). It has the ingredient: imidacloprid. This is a synthetic insecticide, but it works. I apply the suggested amount around only the susceptible roses and scratch and water it in. I do this at least 30 days before buds are formed (early spring). I had just a tiny bit of thrips in maybe three of the seven or so roses I treated. I don't think any so called organic treatment can get rid of thrips. It's a choice I've made, and I certainly have many beneficial insects and pollinators each year that are not affected. Often thrips will come around a second time later in the season. Prepare for this by doing the early spring routine. Good luck. I hope CeresMer reads this--I don't want to write it out again--ha. Diane

it turned up now.. because its that time of year .. imo... its probably extremely humid nights and mornings... that are conducive to mold..mildew.. and fungus growth... drought does not help.. but then its usually less humid if you go into extended deep drought.. but when the drought breaks.. they will come... you are hitting all the variables but not recognizing them... good work.. it will all come.. ken ps: as fall rolls in.. the dewey nights.. will show you all the spider webs all over the yard.. another free show of ma nature.. please dont go out there.. and broom them all out of the plants.. spiders are our friend.. outdoors anyway.. lol... thing is.. by fall .... they have all matured.. so the webs are large... so easy to notice... fall is also a good time for the late fall shroom season.... personally.. id ont eat any of those .. too many can be problematic... but thats a different show...

its not uncommon for plants to shed the oldest leaves in fall.. as light levels wane ... can you tell if they were the oldest leaves? ken