Uh huh. Anyway.

If the leaves are 'holey' they're being munched by someone...inspect the backs of the leaves for slow moving insects. To remove things like aphids you can hose the plants down with a strong spray of water daily (or however often you remember). Don't know if you have JBs where you are; I have no advice about them, but there are lots of threads here regarding them.

Roses are heavy feeders, and these would likely enjoy some fertilizer. I personally top dress with well aged [cow/sheep/horse] manure; I also use Osmocote because it is time release, and I put down alfalfa pellets and water them into the dirt. (This doesn't add a lot of nutrients, but something in it helps the roses absorb nutrients better? Some people also make a fermented 'tea' out of it for their roses.) Last year I was, ah, bored? And so I made my roses smoothies from my kitchen scraps. They really seemed to like that! (Though do cover it with mulch..otherwise it looks like a cat horked in the rose bed!)

Also, if your roses aren't mulched, they should be. Leave a few inches around the canes free of mulch, but everywhere else put down a couple inch deep layer of your favorite mulch. (Rock is fine, I believe, as far as moisture retention goes, but woodchips will break down and add organics to your soil).

Roses also need plenty of water, but not too much. How helpful was that? The exact amount will depend on your soil, and how quickly it drains. Maybe check the FAQ for recommendations.

Regarding the fire; if it didn't kill the plants outright, I'd say you shouldn't worry about it. All the ash from the fire probably added some potassium to the soil, and may have upped the pH. You can get a soil test to know for sure.

Hope this helps! You should post pictures of your roses!

Lara

Hi there Reddahlia (can we call you 'Red'?), welcome to the Rose forum. The reddish tint to the leaves is normal for hybrid tea roses, no concerns there. Depending on where you live, you may need to spray the foliage with a fungicide to prevent blackspot (BS) disease (its nearly impossible to grow hybrid teas - HTs- in the mid Atlantic states or the Southland without aid of fungicide). Clear away a three foot circle around each rose -- no grass, no weeds, just some cute petunias or other little companion plants that appeal to you. Mulch the circle. Fertilize with Osmocote or an organic rose food per the instructions on the package. Water when the soil dries out -- stick your finger in to test for moisture. Good luck!

Thanks to all for the advice, I'll get started today. If JB's are japanese beetles, yes we have them, although this year I have fortunately not "seen" any in the garden.And the holes look different. It may be the aphids like mentioned. I have been giving it a spray with the hose every evening and thats seemed to help.I also forgot to ask about pruning, since it's so small would it benefit from it, or just let it be? I will try to get pics on of it, because it really is the brightest flourescent orange I have ever seen. Thanks again!!!

Don't prune weak/tiny/one caned roses, only remove dead stems and snip off faded blooms. Conventional rose wisdom says to wash the foliage in the morning not at night -- if the foliage stays wet overnight that can increase fungal diseases.

O.K. Thanks alot!!

Aphids won't make holes in your leaves. More likely it is rose slugs, which aren't really slugs, neither are the caterpiollars. they can be seen on the undersides or edges of the leaves, especially early morning and evening. Just strip the slugs off with your fingers or squish them, and watch for prickles, lol!