Strange wilting on "Opening Night" rose

[Madeleine]

Hi there,
We planted this rose last year and it has been coming in nicely this spring but noticed the other day a couple of branches are wilting. I cut them at the base (with alcohol cleaned shears) and this is what the pruned branches look like. Can someone id the problem? Thank you!

 

[Chuck]

Brown/blackish stems on any plant is a sign of watering too often and keeping the roots too wet. It is usually the beginning stage of root rot. You will also probably notice browning leaf margins/tips.

 

[Tetters]

Did you move this rose recently? .... @Chuck - you beat me to it, I was just about to get to watering (over or under) probably over. Then aphids, and hopefully not verticillium wilt

 

[Madeleine]

Thanks very much, Chuck! We have gotten a TON of rain in the past week so that definitely makes sense.

 

[Madeleine]

Did you move this rose recently? .... @Chuck - you beat me to it, I was just about to get to watering (over or under) probably over. Then aphids, and hopefully not verticillium wilt

Hi Tetters! Thank you for your reply. Haven’t moved it, planted it last May. A ton of rain in the last week, so hoping that’s the reason (and that we get a little break from it this week).

 

[Tetters]

If your soil suffers water-logging too much, it might help to dig in some horticultural grit.

 

[Chuck]

Thanks very much, Chuck! We have gotten a TON of rain in the past week so that definitely makes sense.

It takes longer than a week of watering too often to show this damage. What type of soil is the plant growing in?