Rose Blooms Last Only Days – Water or Thrips?

Rose Blooms Last Only Days – Water or Thrips?

Two main causes for rapid petal drop:

1. Insufficient water: Roses need ~5 gallons/week in one deep soak, not daily sips. Make a soil basin, fill slowly.
2. Thrips: Tiny black insects inside buds. Test: shake opening bud over white paper – look for specks.

Solutions

• Water: Deep weekly soak + 3-inch mulch.
• Thrips: Rose insecticide spray, targeting buds.

Deadheading

Snap off spent blooms (don't cut far down) – strongest new growth emerges just below the flower.

Spring Pruning

Cut to knee height (18 inches), remove dead wood, fertilize.