Yes, even on the healthiest plant, a leaf will die occasionally. More sun is good, tho. I don't think there's anything you can actually do to this plant to hurt it except rot the roots. In which case you could still probably continue the top growth because these plants have an interesting ability to make a "stopping point" on their stem. I don't know what the technical name is for this thing but I've seen it happen, the top part just falls off, looking for a more suitable place to start new roots. This also happens sometimes if the stem gets pinched against the edge of the pot. The weight of a stem can cause a break/stopping point at the rim of the pot. Just stick it back in.

I am having the same weird problem. Two 8-yr-old clumps of golden bamboo (Phyllostachys spectabilis) in my Seattle yard are also dropping hundreds of their new, green spikes of leaves--unopened--and the tops of the newest canes are stunted, soft, and breaking off. Canes less than full height are turning flaccid and dying back to the ground. Old leaves are turning yellow and dropping while others are still green and healthy. There are no rolled or wrinkled leaves indicating that the soil is too dry. An adjacent clump of black bamboo nearby looks normal. I gave everything a good soaking yesterday even though the soil wasn't particularly dry within the root barriers. Wait and see are next. I have no idea what stressed the golden bamboo so badly, but it was something very recent, judging by the full formation of the first spring canes and the dieback of the later growth. Maybe a family of voles moved in last month after my neighbor finally mowed his knee-high grass. Maybe it's the weird weather. If anyone else is having similar problems, I would like to hear about it.

its invasive in many areas.. and if in your area... get rid of it ... its potential is 10 feet tall and 12 wide.. over the years... so its improperly sited ... bugs had nothing to do with this.. this plant is nearly indestructible ... you could take a mature one.. and cut it to 3 inches.. and within a year or two... it would be bigger than it was before ... i suspect herbicide damage ... cut it to the ground.. and see what happens ... ken

Do you have the rose in potting soil or garden soil? Roses in pots should be in potting mix. Garden soil is too "heavy" for a plant in a pot. Are the roots growing out of the bottom of the pot? If so, you may need to move it to a bigger pot. If you just recently repotted the rose, and used new potting mix, the plant shouldn't need any fertilizer for a couple of months. Adding Miracle Grow can be too much for the rose. I also would not add any compost either. Has the temperature recently risen lately and it is hot where you are located? You might want to move the plant where it gets some shade in the afternoon. We are going to be 108--109 for the next week or so, so some afternoon shade for the plants may be in order at my house. I would re-pot the rose in some nice new potting soil and keep it in the shade for a couple of days so it won't go shocky on you. See if that helps.