Hello! I'm new and having a problem with my roses.

[nani]

The leaves on my pink knock-out roses have turned yellow. What should I do?

[The Helpful Gardener]

Hi nani!

I'm going to move this to the rose forum...

Any black spots on those yellow leaves?

HG

[vintagejuls]

I believe the yellow leaves is caused from lack of magnesium in the soil.

An inexpensive remedy is using Epsom salts a couple times a year. Sprinkle 1/4 to 1/2 cup underneath each plant about 3 to 6 inches from the base of the plant and deep water. This will enrich the leaves to a dark green color.

BTW, it's ok to remove the yellow leaves by gently pulling them off or if necessary using scissors.

A couple of rose tips:

- never water after 3pm (they don't like to go to bed with wet feet)
- avoid watering leafs; best to get a bubbler and water soil only
- feed monthly with rose specific plant food

Good luck.

[brubel]

Vintagejuls,

I am having the same problem with my new Double Knockout Roses with some of the leaves turning yellow. I did the Epsom salt yesterday as you had suggested and trimmed the leaves. I guess I'll have to wait a couple of days to see if that was it. At this point the roses are one week old (planted), so I guess it's possible that they didn't get enough water? That being said, they seem to have blossomed with a number of new bud roses and the red new growth that was pointed out to me in the store is still red and looks like it is still growing.

I have another question: what happens if I don't use the bubbler and water does end up on the leaves? What is the worst case scenario?

brubel

I believe the yellow leaves is caused from lack of magnesium in the soil.

An inexpensive remedy is using Epsom salts a couple times a year. Sprinkle 1/4 to 1/2 cup underneath each plant about 3 to 6 inches from the base of the plant and deep water. This will enrich the leaves to a dark green color.

BTW, it's ok to remove the yellow leaves by gently pulling them off or if necessary using scissors.

A couple of rose tips:

- never water after 3pm (they don't like to go to bed with wet feet)
- avoid watering leafs; best to get a bubbler and water soil only
- feed monthly with rose specific plant food

Good luck.

[vintagejuls]

Hi Brubel,

Haven't been on this forum much lately so just now responding.

Leaves on roses can be rinsed off during warm spring and summer days early in the day. Rust and pests will be the worst case scenario.

Are you in Maryland and planting the roses this time of year? If so, you may want to talk to your local nursery or reach out here to a rose gardner on the east coast for winter care.

Good luck and enjoy your roses!

[brubel]

Julie,

The roses are already planted but they are the cold-hardy knockouts. I was told by the local nursery that they can be planted locally here through the beginning of December (not the first frost we get here, but the first "hard" frost).


brubel