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Need help diagnosing my double knock out roses

Melissa Rudolph

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I have a row of double knock out roses planted in my front bed. They were planted last year. 2/6 suffered from severe leaf loss and did not make it through the winter. I re-planted and am now having the same problems. The leaves are showing some yellowing, spotting, browning and curling on both sides but overall the right side is much healthier and I'm not sure what is going on with the left side. I also had a bush on the left side completely die. I am wondering if there is something wrong with the soil on the left?? Any help would be much appreciated as I think if I can't save these, I will unfortunately have to take all of the plants out and try something different :(

I have been using Bayer Advanced 2 in 1 Systemic Rose and Flower Care and Natria Insect Disease and Mite Control.

Featured Answer

jim1961 / Central Pennsylvania / Zone 6

5 years ago

What's your general location?

I'd push that mulch away from the canes of the roses a few inches at least...

I'm not familiar with those sprays so do not know if they could cause problems or not...

Might be problems with soil on the left...??? Hope you get it figured out...

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Comments (8)

Melissa Rudolph
Original Author
5 years ago
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You cant always count on the same plant, planted far from one another, to react to growth habit the same way. Like children, each has it's own way. The soil is/likely not of the same structure and therefore, takes up moisture in a different way. Cultivation should be done shallow...to not bother the roots. Instead of fertilizing in a hit and miss way, try to feed the plants on a scheduled program....every 2 weeks with a water soluble type, or as the label directs with a granular type. Work in with your hands....you can usually feel the soil at the plant's base and tell if it needs water. Roses....its the old story---do not like wet feet...they don't appreciate heavy watering; rather regular watering is better with good drainage. If you feel you have damaged areas, cut that back to good growth to an outward facing bud. Any damaged stems cut it out. Don't leave damaged or weak canes to spread whatever is causing a problem. Keep watering to mid morning or late afternoon to let the sun dry them. Spray only the leaves and/or the soil at the base of the plant. Spray can be a general purpose one or one designed for specific rose problems and that can be done too on a regular basis and not wait for a problem before you get to it
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I have close to twenty five Knock Out roses. I also was infested with saw flies this year. My Knock Outs always bloom three times spring, summer and fall. After the summer blooms is when the holes started appearing and within a couple days the leaves were riddled. I decided to use the dish soap in a hose in sprayer. I sprayed every plant I had on the place hostas, roses, evergreen type shrubs, every plant in my gardens. I fixed those bugs but I also stopped my roses from blooming for the rest of the season. The buds would start to appear, dry up, turn black and fall off. Am I sorry, No, as all my rose plants became bug free and the rose leaves were a lush beautiful blue green almost prettier than the blossoms would have been. Hum, Now I'm thinking I am on to something and I am going to spray that nasty huge blooming tree over my patio, which drops something or other, say nothing about the birds taking aim, all summer long with the same treatment before it blooms so it will not have those blossoms, stems and little red apples falling all over my furniture. It is one messy tree and in the early winter the starlings move in and clean up all the berries in a matter of hours. Of course they leave their calling card. Call me devious but I am bug free. After thought, I guess I will forget the spray on my lovely shade tree and let the birds enjoy their feast. What's a little red berry stain on the carpet in my home.
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Melissa Rudolph
Original Author
5 years ago
Located in Oklahoma... maybe zone 6 or 7?
Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Could you please tell us what is in the 2-in-1. Those leaves look like they have some sort of fertilizer burn. Are you sure you're watering them enough? This is especially important for new plants. They really don't need any fertilizer yet until they start putting on some growth.
Dingo2001 - Z5 Chicagoland
5 years ago
I wonder if they are under your where your eaves overhang and just aren't getting water/ sun? I have the same issue with my big pots - if they get shoved back they start doing really poorly. I would move them out, water really well, and not use any kind of product on them - you may not even need anything for them - save your $$ for more plants :). Good luck!
Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
5 years ago
The Bayer and Natria products are not helping. Water is probably the best helper.
cyndita (west coast zone 9)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Is the sun different on the left side vs. the right side? Maybe due to shadows, etc.?

Also, do you have a drip irrigation system? We lost a couple of shrubs after installing a drip irrigation system, before we realized that those spots weren't receiving enough water.
barbarag_happy
5 years ago
I'm with Sheila; using those two chemicals is overkill. The main thing newly planted roses need is regular watering and time to make root growth before any fertilizer is applied.

KnockOuts are really tough so I suspect something more is going on here. There may be air pockets around the roots, which prevents the roses from taking up water. Check the ground around the base of the roses by pressing down with your feet to ensure the soil has been firmed around the roots. Then apply water and observe closely; if bubbles appear on the surface you have have air pockets.

When planting, it's a good idea to fill the planting hole just halfway with soil, then water until bubbles no longer appear, then fill the hole up the rest of the way and water again.

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