what did I do wrong?

Question

last year my sister gave me a John F. Kennedy rose bush. I have many roses of all types and never had a problem. I went outside yesterday and it is all dried up. I think there is a little bit of green near the base, but I am afraid it's gone. I planted all my rose bushes the same way and this was no different. any ideas on what I did wrong? any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. This bush is special because my sister gave it to me for my b-day. I know she will be upset, but not angry with me. They are so expensive. Do you think I just replace and not say anything? This is kind of a lie of ommision, but I want her to think it lived. Am I wrong?

All my soil is the same type, I use fertilizer just for roses, I planted it when it was moist, not dry, and my sister got it from a nursury. Should I replace it though? I treat my roses with best of care, so I thought. Thank you for your answers. Keep them coming, Maybe I will move it.

Brent, I think you're right, I think it's gone too. I live in Mass. We had the most mild Winter ever and it rained for over a week last week. torential rain I might add, but that should not have done it as all my other roses are doing great.

Answer 1

Very often the sudden death of a plant is caused by a very nasty viral, bacterial or fungal infection. With the wet often comes more fungal spores.
Also root stock used to graft soetimes comes with a virus so even though you treat the rose very well it succumbs to a second infection due to an inherent weakness. This virus is not transferable unless you go from one plant to another without wiping down the secateurs with alcohol. However even if you didn't wipe them the chance of transferring is as low as 1-2% chance. If you think a virus is possible look at these pages to see id your rose showed any symptoms previously.
http://www.rdrop.com/~paul/main_december2002.html
http://www.oznet.k-state.edu/path-ext/factSheets/Rose/Rose%20Mosaic%20Virus.asp

Is there any chance something was spilled near this rose? Even concentrated fertilizer spilled could stress the rose making it more susceptible. Roses are extremely sensitive to petroleum products which can even contaminate mulch you buy. Could you have used a different mulch in that location?
What ever the problem it is likely located in that one spot so it would be easier to replace the soil than go through losing another rose. Dig it up and examine the roots for signs of cotton root rot or nematode galling.

Root Knot Nematodes (nematode - Meloidogyne hapla): Knots or galls occur on smaller roots limiting the development of the root system. Do not plant stock that is infected. Sterilize soil if plants must be planted in infested areas.

Cotton Root Rot (fungus - Phymatotrichum omnivorum): Infected plants die suddenly. Roots may be covered with buff brown strands of fungal growth. Do not replant roses in the same area without soil sterilization.
Your sister may even have bought an infected plant so by not telling her the nursery she bought it from will not be told. Nurseries will often replace stock you can show was bought infected or they may have heard from other dissatisfied customers so be very willing to replace the plant.

Answer 2

If your sister paid a goodly sum for the plant, she may want to know that it died, and she may wish to tell the seller. If the seller is a decent sort, he should replace the rose bush, unless there was no warranty.

However, your sister may have "aquired" the plant another way, in which case you may find it better to lay low. Depends upon how well you know your sister !!!!

Answer 3

If everything else is the same, there are two things I can think of that went wrong with your JFK bush.

1. The soil where you planted this bush is different, and worse, than other locations.
OR
2. The bush was harmed, perhaps the roots were dried, before you planted it.

Unfortunately, it sounds to me like your rose bush is gone.

Answer 4

Prune it way back and it should recover.

Unfortunately sometimes we run into something that doesn't work. I had 2 of the same plant about 3 feet way from each other in my garden - one died, the other is beautiful. Maybe the dead one came to me diseased or something - who knows, right?

Answer 5

tyr moving it or watering it you never no whats wrong with it..