Question
I bought every different color rose bush I could find. Over the years they have all turned into small red roses with only a few petals and a yellow center. I have read some information that suggests that I have suckers growing below the graft point. I'm not sure to tell exactly where the bump on the stem is located. I live in Colorado and have to prune our roses back to just a few inches above the ground each year. Is it possible that I have cut them back too much and no longer have the grafted stem? Are the stems that are red in color the suckers? Are they suppose to be red the entire length of the stem or just near the top? The torns also seem to be red instead of green. I appreciate your help and input.

Thanks Michael

Answer
It isn't the cutting them back hard that has caused the problem. When you have a cold winter, many roses such as hybrid teas will not survive the winter as the cold kills the hybrid tea. However it doesn't kill the understock called Dr. Huey because it is a hardy rose and can go through the winter. Dr. Huey is a red rose with a yellow center. The bud union is at the top of the roots or the base of the canes growing from it. If you are unable to dig down and see where the suckers are coming from, then you will have to wait until the cane flowers. In your area if you want to grow hybrid teas then you will have to protect them by mounding them up to 12 inches using mulch, compost or soil. Then the roses will only dieback to about 12 inches.