Dead Roses

Question: I planted 10 Campfire roses the summer of 2020 and enjoyed them for 3 summers.  They didn't start growing this year, and they appear to be dead.  When I tug on the branches, they feel as if there are no roots keeping them in the ground.  There are piles of dirt granules on top of the leaves that gathered around the base of each plant over the winter.  I am wondering if something has eaten the roots.  I don't want to plant new ones until I know what might have happened and how to prevent.  I did have japanese beetles on them last summer and hand picked them into soapy hot water diligently.  I am attempting to attach two images.  Do you have any advice?

responder: Pat M MN master gardener and TCA Replied May 18, 2023, 1:31 PM EDT
response: 1. Rose bush root eating animals are the burrowers like gophers and voles. https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/vole-damage  2.Your soil may have Jumping worms. Jumping worms feed on soil organic matter, leaf litter and mulch and create very grainy-looking and hard little pellets when they excrete. The ‘changed’ soil  texture resembles large coffee grounds, and has poor structure for plants to grow in. This kills plants and increases erosion. Homeowners may see garden plants killed and may have difficulty growing plants.  Jumping worms have an annual life cycle. the adults die after the first hard frost; the next generation survives the winter in the form of cocoons (egg casings). They hatch and survive when the soil temperature is consistently about 50˚F. They develop into full-size adults in about 60 days.  Individual worms can reproduce without a mate (parthenogenesis) and their populations can increase quickly. They displace and out-compete other earthworms.   Jumping worms are found in leaf litter and mulch or very near the soil surface range from about 1.5 to 8 inches in length.  Mustard test: A third-cup of yellow mustard powder mixed with a gallon of water — pour onto the ground to irritate the skin of jumping worms and cause them to emerge from leaf litter. Pour half of the liquid slowly over a 1 square foot of soil you want to test. Wait a few minutes and pour the rest. This will make worms (any earthworms) come to the surface. Identify, collect, and discard jumping worms, if present. The mustard solution will not harm plants or kill the worms. The worms are to small at this time of year. Test for Jumping worms in July if your soil area near the roses  is it looks like coffee grounds.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 21, 2023, 3:01 PM EDT
response: I did the mustard test today and thes worms came up to the surface.  What’s your opinion and advice? Vicki Tyler

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 21, 2023, 3:02 PM EDT
response: The roses were alive last fall but dead this spring. We did have a lot of hardwood mulch brought in last year. Vicki Tyler

responder: The Question Asker Replied August 03, 2023, 10:48 AM EDT
response: I never received a reply to the photos and email I sent about the jumping worm test I did.  Just wondering if you received?

responder: Pat M MN master gardener and TCA Replied August 03, 2023, 5:55 PM EDT
response: Please send a message to Angela Gupta, Extension invasive species educator. She may be better able to answer your questions. https://extension.umn.edu/identify-invasive-species/earthworm https://extension.umn.edu/natural-resources-news/jumping-worms-beware-plant-swap-hitchhikers