skip to main content

Garden Clinic Roses garden

Did I overwater or underwater this new Colette?

Taco @BayArea (Zone 9b)

last year

last modified: last year

I planted this Colette right after I received it on April 20, 2023.

(Should've waited till April 22 to purchase... Heirloom Roses had a 25% off sale on Earth Day, which was such a sting because I paid full price for this Colette! $52!)

We had quite warm weather in the past week, up to the high 80s. The newly planted David Austin bare root roses are doing well, but the leaves on this Colette (already thin and few stems when arrived) have wilted. They didn't turn yellow, they simply became limp and then fell off. The tips of the stems have also turned black.

All my roses are on irrigation already (4 gallons, once a week), and I gave Colette an extra gallon of water on a hot day.

I have 50+ David Austin Roses happily growing in my garden in the past 3 years, but even with such "experience" I feel like such a novice when seeing Colette like this.

What seems to be the problem with my Colette? Is there still any hope? I sure want it to grow... This is the first time I'm purchasing from Heirloom Roses and I really wanted the Colette.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Diane Brakefield
last year
For a new rose like that, I water every day--a good soak by hand. But, you need to pull that bark mulch away from the rose, and keep it away for now so you can monitor the moisture situation easily. I would cover the base of the rose with some really good compost instead of the bark. I found Colette to be a vigorous grower right off the bat, so something is going on with the water situation, I'm sure. Diane
Taco @BayArea (Zone 9b) thanked Diane Brakefield
susan9santabarbara
last year
Under watered it. Personally, I always grow my gallon roses from Heirloom and Roses Unlimited on for awhile in their original pots so the soil and roots can recover from the shipping and jostling. I then up-pot to a 2 gallon so they can put on some new roots. Then I plant in their permanent homes. I just think your rose got jostled around in its shipping box, then got immediately planted in the ground and got stressed when we had that mini heat wave last week. Then, if you only watered it once a week, it got further stressed. Pull the mulch away from the rose, and water it every day for a few days. Maybe even give it a bit of shade for awhile. It will recover.
Taco @BayArea (Zone 9b) thanked susan9santabarbara
Related Discussions
HELP! Don't know if I'm overwatering or underwatering new Dogwood
Q
Comments (4)
This is THE WORST time of year you could possibly have picked to plant a new tree!!! As for watering, check the soil's moisture level with you finger. Check for moisture both outside AND inside the rootball (assuming you didn't plant it bare-root). Be sure the soil at about 2" to 3" remains moist, but not wet. 30 minutes per day does sound like possibly too much water, BUT it depends on the water flow rate, your soil conditions, your weather, etc. Anyone that tells you how often/how much to water either doesn't know what they are talking about or are very familiar with you planting site's conditions. Hopefully the nursery falls into that last category. The bottom line is that you need to check your soil's moisture level to determine how often and how much to water.
...See More
Is this underwater or overwatered?
Q
Comments (9)
Whoa cologne, might want to avoid using perfumed liquid as they may kill/stunt plants. I don't have any backup to support that but your sedum might absorb all the random components and suffer from it. (Rubbing alcohol is easy to get from pharmacy/supermarkets) and put in a small spray bottle (the ones used to spray iphones/glasses) 50% of that and 50% water, or increase alcohol to 80% and 20% water, (up to you). I try to put a plastic wrap on the soil so I don't inadvertently end up over-watering the plant (because I did that before by spraying). I don't have any experience submerging plants but I think since your sedum is so thick and plentiful (really nice), you may want to do that to really eradicate the problem instead of coping with them very few weeks. I know some experienced people on this forum know what chemicals to mix for submerging (I know soap + water, but might want to research what type of soap, I'm not sure if dishwasher fluid is too harsh. I've heard of insecticidal soap...) Oh is thisthe thread you're referring to? I think it's pretty accurate, it explains why mealybugs seem to always comes back due to the different stages of mealybugs on your plant (in the soil in larvae form vs on the leaves in adult form). Looks like some good product recommendations on there. EDITED: Forgot to include the link to the thread.
...See More
Deficiencies? Chlorosis? Salt? Sunburn? Overwatering? Underwatering?
Q
Comments (1)
Maybe it is your camera or a lighting issue; but from what I see I would say a phosphorus deficiency, maybe aggravated by lack of uptake of iron, manganese. Organic fertilizers are in general HORRIBLE for citrus, which are heavy feeders.
...See More
Am I overwatering or underwatering the young plants?
Q
Comments (6)
Unfortunately its been too cold to put them outside since snow is predicted this weekend here is Massachusetts. I was planning on moving them out next weekend after hardening them off since it will finally be mid 40s at night consistently. I'm just trying to make sure they will make it :( They were previously doing well in their smaller containers.
...See More
Taco @BayArea (Zone 9b)
Original Author
last year
Thank you so much, Diane and Susan!

Fortunately the weather has cooled down. I will monitor Colette closely this week.

I was going to dig Colette out and pot it, but when I started digging there were quite a few earthworms. I decided to let Colette stay in the ground... I didn't have the heart to distress Colette again, or the earthworms who seem to have found their happy place. I pulled away some bark and added grass mulch, as well as my favorite - alfalfa pallets - and watered it well. Somehow the added green colors made Colette look better already.

It was definitely on me for not checking in on Colette during the mini heat wave. Fingers crossed that it forgives me.
Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR
last year
Were it really sunny, placing a shade (like a lawn chair) over the plant until it really recovers could help too. Good luck.
Taco @BayArea (Zone 9b) thanked Sheila z8a Rogue Valley OR

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Experts Share 13 Common Gardening Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

See how to avoid overwatering, spacing out plants incorrectly and other landscaping pitfalls

CONTAINER GARDENS Container Garden Basics: How and When to Water Potted Plants

Confused about soil moisture, the best time to water and what watering device to use? This guide can help

GARDENING GUIDES What's Wrong With My Plant? Leaves Often Hold the Clues

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Learn how to identify common plant ailments by reading their leaves

HOUSEPLANTS Play Up Some Fiddleleaf Figs for a Lively Indoor Tune

By creative jewish mom.com

Strike a dramatic chord in a minimalist scene or a country note in a rustic setting — fiddleleaf fig plants harmonize with any style

FARM YOUR YARD How to Grow Vegetables in Containers

By Annie Thornton

Get glorious vegetables and fruits on your patio with a pro’s guidance — including his personal recipe for potting mix

MOST POPULAR The Perfect Houseplant for People Who Kill Houseplants

By creative jewish mom.com

If you can fill a jar with water, you can keep golden pothos vine happy — and it will pay you back with cleaner air and a greener home

CONTAINER GARDENS Happy Houseplants, Happy People

By Laura Gaskill

Potted plants add life and beauty to a room. Learn easy ways to keep them healthy

GARDENING GUIDES The Case for Buying Younger, Smaller Plants

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Less mature plants are more economical, are easier to plant and often grow more quickly

GARDENING 101 Your Healthy Houseplant Checklist

By Laura Gaskill

Choose the best plants for your rooms, and then get growing with the right pots, tools and ingredients

DIY PROJECTS How to Make Cut Flowers Last Longer

By Victoria Harrison

Do your store-bought flowers fade too soon? Get expert advice on helping them stay fresh

Sponsored

More Discussions

Blue Fescue is Not Blue?

4

Groundcovers for Full Sun Exposure in Clay

6

Drift rose bushes

12

Native ground cover for shade in Philadelphi

2

Can you help me identify culprit if those damages?

4