My ‘Mrs. B. R. Cant’ rose is starting to bloom again on what is left of the plant. This plant is struggling as the graft union is failing and the rose is gradually dying. The flowers are superb reaching 4 inches in diameter during the cooler winter months.  The foliage is healthy and has not been bothered by the Sri Lankan weevil and thrip that has knocked out the supposedly impervious ‘Knock Out’ rose. I hate to lose this beautiful but thorny rose. Grafted plants are often a problem as the graft union can fail as my rose is suffering from. Roses and gardenias are the most commonly grafted plants in Florida.

Plants are grafted to a root stock that is resistant to pests in our soil. Root knot nematodes are the most common root pest in Florida and most hybrid tea and other roses are grafted. This is an advantage for the old China antique roses which can be grown from cuttings and grow on their own roots.

Below are photos of my ‘Mrs. B. R. Cant’ rose showing clean foliage and blooms. I will try to take a photo of the bad graft union. I will also take a photo of the highly touted ‘Knock Out’ rose.