Hello
I could use some suggestions.
I purchased a zues rose from freedom garden nursery.
I am in Flagstaff Az Z5.
I received the plant yesterday, it did not look healthy, the stems are beginning to turn brown and insects have chewed up the leaves. And has slight signs of powder mildew disease.
I feel it is too late in the se asin to plant it outside, we are dropping to freezing temps already.
I would appreciate any suggestions on how to over winter it inside to keep it alive until I can plant it outside where it belongs.
Thank you all so much
Robert

Moved to Rose forum so more rose people can see it.

Robert, if you are truly concerned I would contact Peter Schneider at Freedom Gardens in Ohio and show him these pictures. He's an honest dealer and you should either get a new plant from him or instructions on what to do to help the rose.

Yes I am truly concerned
To my understanding this is rare type of rose and Peter only propagates a limited amount of these plants.
I have reached out to Peter but have not yet had a response.

What is Your average winter low? I have received plants from him Late October going into November and planted them but that winter we never got below 8°F positive All of my plans from well even when it is gotten to 12 and 8° and even 4° 1 year. Whoever I had a lot of damage to all my roses when we go sub 0 so that is why I'm asking.

I wouldn't worry about the leaves etc.. Plants are shutting down here And he is in northern Ohio. He has a greenhouse but it's not a big huge green house like you Might imagine And I don't even know if it's heated. At the very least I would get it into some sort of a smaller pot Unless you have your Unless you have your hole ready. ready. It is really the soil temperature that is the biggest concern.

I can't comment on the temp thing, but that is a very fine looking band rose. There is absolutely no reason to request a new plant from him!

Susan_in_SB said: I can't comment on the temp thing, but that is a very fine looking band rose. There is absolutely no reason to request a new plant from him!

If you enlarge the photos, there are suspicious blackened areas on two of the three canes that would make me suspect they might continue to degrade and die if it is, say, canker. If that is the case, would it be reasonable to request a new plant, or not? If it eventually spread, it could possibly affect the one leafy cane as well.

reh0622 said: If you enlarge the photos, there are suspicious blackened areas on two of the three canes that would make me suspect they might continue to degrade and die if it is, say, canker. If that is the case, would it be reasonable to request a new plant, or not? If it eventually spread, it could possibly affect the one leafy cane as well.

I noticed those dark areas too and why I recommended him contacting Peter. I had the same thing with a Firefighter rose I got from Heirloom Roses. I sent them pics and they refunded me the entire amount. I ordered another Firefighter and it was healthy. Mike advised me to cut down to the healthy stems and see if I could save the rose with dark blotches and I did. That rose is now growing very well in my yard. I would not have planted it the way it came from Heirloom.

Well everyone
I talked to Peter and he blamed me for the condition my Zeus rose arrived basically.
Not impressed by his ethics.
Will not take any responsibility for the plant, diseased or not.
Was very defensive and seemed uncaring.
Would not look at photos of plant 2 days after I received it.
Well buyer beware.
Still would appreciate any other helpful tips for this rose.
I will do my best to help it survive and thrive.
Thank you all
Robert.

Robert66 said: Well everyone
I talked to Peter and he blamed me for the condition my Zeus rose arrived basically.
Not impressed by his ethics.
Will not take any responsibility for the plant, diseased or not.
Was very defensive and seemed uncaring.
Would not look at photos of plant 2 days after I received it.
Well buyer beware.
Still would appreciate any other helpful tips for this rose.
I will do my best to help it survive and thrive.
Thank you all
Robert.

I am very surprised. I've met Peter at his garden and he was a lovely guy. He has a good reputation and I'm sorry he acted as he did. Did you read my earlier post about me pruning down my Firefighter to below the dark patches? Since you are in Texas you may be able to still plant it and give it some protection if you get a cold spell. I would leave the healthy stems alone and prune below the dark spots. If you plant it put some nice amendments in the soil and mulch, or, repot it in a larger pot till spring. Then I would send Peter an email telling him that you showed these pics in this forum and how some of us felt there was a health issue with the plant and how disappointed in him you are. But, that's what I would do. Wishing you the best with this rose. What kind of climbing rose is it? I've never heard the name before.
As far as the powdery mildew goes, just remove those affected leaves and give it a light spray of a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with about 3 cups of water.

Thank you so much for the caring thoughts.
I am surprised also by his lack of caring and business ethic.
My inner feelings tell me his is a man that distrust people and I was trying to get a free plant .
Not the case.
Just wanted advise.
Like I said he would not even look at the photos.
Once again thanks for your input, I have already pruned unhealthy looking foliage and amended soil.
By the way I am in Flagstaff Arizona.
Elevation 7200 ft.
Thx again
Robert

Taking a careful 2nd look, I think if you trim off the problem areas there won't be much left. Beside the dark patches, there are two areas of powdery white on two of the canes, including the "good" cane. All the leafy cane would be eliminated except for a 2" stub, and the other one would be left about 6-8". Still, if it's own root, it may come back next spring. Or am I imagining things, and you don't have to take off white areas and perhaps just a baking soda spray will eliminate the white patches. That will save more of the cane, but I think black patches will still take away the leaves if it's pruned below the suspicious area. Maybe if you do your best to save it and it still dies, you can request again a refund or a replacement if you include photos.

Robert66 said: Thank you so much for the caring thoughts.
I am surprised also by his lack of caring and business ethic.
My inner feelings tell me his is a man that distrust people and I was trying to get a free plant .
Not the case.
Just wanted advise.
Like I said he would not even look at the photos.
Once again thanks for your input, I have already pruned unhealthy looking foliage and amended soil.
By the way I am in Flagstaff Arizona.
Elevation 7200 ft.
Thx again
Robert

You're welcome. We love to help people with rose issues. Another idea....contact your local rose society group and ask if you can show them the rose plant. They may have some great suggestions to save it. You can find that info online with a phone number or email address to contact them. Meanwhile, keep it watered with some sunshine. Please let us know if the plant can be saved.

I placed it in a bigger pot.
I will insulate the pot and root system.
I have amended the soil and pruned all dead or sick foliage.
I will allow it to get as much sunlight as possible, while keeping the root system warm.
Is there a good rose food that will only focus on building a strong root system??
If anyone else has any ideas, I would love to hear them.
Thx
Robert

Robert66 said: I placed it in a bigger pot.
I will insulate the pot and root system.
I have amended the soil and pruned all dead or sick foliage.
I will allow it to get as much sunlight as possible, while keeping the root system warm.
Is there a good rose food that will only focus on building a strong root system??
If anyone else has any ideas, I would love to hear them.
Thx
Robert

I use Kelloggs Organic Fish and Kelp emulsion on new rose plants. It's a liquid and I used it half strength till they went in the ground. Or, plain fish emulsion, also. I think the Kelloggs is better for new plants, but, either one would be good.

Thanks I will try that.