Marianne's Response

TinaLonergan’s Question

Hi Marci,

My roses cane is turning black on the top and spreading down wards, do you know what that is?.
thank you
tina

Posted by TinaLonergan on May 26, 2016

Marianne's Response

When the new growth on roses turns black it could be a virus or a boring insect that has invaded the stem and cut off circulation to the tip of the branch. In either case cut back the cane to a point where there is healthy wood. Collect any fallen leaves from the ground in case they contain a virus. Most likely this will solve the problem and new growth will come from below where you made the cut. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti