On Sun, 26 Jan 2003 19:10:21 -0700, "Darlene"
wrote:

Help!!!!!
My 4 week old bare root rose bush is getting black at the top of several of
the original cuts. New leaves are still coming in but it looks like it is
trying to die from the top down. Do I have root rot or crown gall? I live
in Arizona and the bush is planted in partial shade (afternoons).

Your rose has the fatal fungal disease 'Black Cane Canker'.

There is hope however.

You must cut off all of the black stuff ASAP, 1/2 inch below the
lowest appearance of the black stuff, if you want to save the rose.
If the black reaches the bud union, your rose is toast.

You MUST sterilize your pruners after every cut. Use a bucket with 4
cups of water and 1 cup of Clorox to dip the pruner blades in for 10
seconds after every cut. Dispose of the cut canes in the garbage
quickly and don't let them touch any part of the plant. Be careful
not to touch the ends of the cuts with anything that has touched the
canker, such as your hand or glove as well.

If it re appears, do it again.

Bob Bauer
Zone 6 in Salt Lake City
http://www.rose-roses.com/