Why won't my roses grown in Central Illinois bud? Is it because we had a late frost?

Question

I also noticed thrips on some of the roses that did bloom. Help!

Answer 1

The cold is not going to effect roses especially temperatures of 40 deg F. Mine regularly take a 20 deg F temperature and that is not nearly as cold as they can take.

The problem could be with your pruning time. When you prune roses they start to shoot again (they think they are damaged and start to grow to recover). Many people prune at the end of autumn to neaten them up, this is a mistake the rose then starts to shoot to recover and the buds all get frosted. The poor bush is then knocked back and has to try to grow buds to replace the frosted ones. I never touch my roses till the last frost has past, theres no point, your not going to get good roses in winter.

When pruning you can't be taking all the buds off either unless you prune them to the ground so this is not your problem.

Roses are gross feeders, make sure they have plenty of organic and rose fertilizer and are deeply watered on the roots not on the leaves (causes black spot).

If you have a mixed rose bed you may find some of the varieties are hardier than others and so are flowering better with the same conditions as the ones that aren't.

Get something for the thrips from you local nursery, remember roses are pretty tough, a little experimentation should fix all your problems.

Answer 2

Thrips could be the culprit and so could the late frost. When did you prune them back? If you pruned them in the spring, chances are you cut off the bud producing nodes....

Bayer makes a wonderful product that is a systemic insecticide that lasts 12 months. I'd consider using this followed in two weeks, with Miracle Gro Bloom Buster. I'd continue the water soluble fertilizer every two weeks to see if that won't coax your roses. Discontinue using fertilizer after Labor Day to give the plant a chance to build strong roots for over-wintering....

Answer 3

I live in Southeast Missouri. Mine so far are fine. I did cover them well when we had that late freezing weather. Did you cover them then?
Sometimes if you cut them back just a little it will increase the blooming.
I use MiracleGro for roses and that seems to bring out the blooms. I also use
Garden Safe® Brand Fungicide 3-in-1
http://www.gardensafe.com/ProductCategories/indoorinsecticide/Fungicide3/

http://www.acehardware.com/sm-miracle-gro-and-reg-for-roses-200022--pi-1335061.html

Answer 4

Yes, I am guessing this is why mine is stunted in growth or not coming up at all. I live in Peoria, IL. Remember Easter weekend it was in the 40s?