Oh No! It sounds like that's the problem! Thank you for all the
information...I was looking in all my books and on the internet and no one
mentions black canes, just black spot...so I was having a hard time figuring
this out. I didn't know anything about canker...I haven't seen any leafing
on these ones, unlike the older ones. They certainly look dead. Do you
think it could be anything like damage from the cold temperatures? What
happens when roses freeze? I'm going out to cut those black canes off and
look for healthy pith. Cross your fingers...I may have some bald spots in my
rose bed this year!
You're very helpful! I really appreciate your input Shiva,
Thanks,
Jane

"Shiva" wrote in message
news:aHlwYXRpYQ==.a2930a13a501a172dbd4c75ad06f643d @1048608291.cotse.net...
Jane wrote:

Any ideas about black canes?
I'd hate to have killed these babies...they were nice.

Bob Bauer (if memory serves me) has posted making a distintion between
regular canker, which presents as a brown, blackish brown, or yellowish
spot on a cane and rots it from that point down, and another very deadly
type that presents as black, starts at the cane tips, and kills the plant
if it gets to the bud union. Bob, please correct me if I am wrong. I
believe the only thing to do for both is to cut it out, wiping your
secaturs with alcohol between cuts, and cutting until you see healthy
white pith. Although it is said that fungicides do not affect canker (esp.
since some appears to be bacterial? Or is it all?? Someone leap in here,
I'm sinking!) some have found a positive correlation between fungal
disease such as mildew and black spot and canker. So, some think that an
effective antifungal routine may help stave off canker. I can tell you
that the worst case of brown canker I ever had was the spring AFTER I did
not spray for an entire season. More on your great suggestions for my new
bed as time allows! Thanks, Jane!