Will this rose grow well with mid to late afternoon sun?
Yes, Knockout roses are very hardy and should do well. Also check out a rosebush named Winnepeg Parks for one that looks much like the red knockout and is really better in my opinion.
Here is a link to an article on Knockouts for you: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/knockout-roses/care-knockout-roses.htm
and https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/knockout-roses/prune-knockout-roses.htm
The white spots are on the roses, in addition some leaves are turning red. Is that something I need to be concerned about?
The red leaves can mean just new foliage coming out. If it is mottled looking and the foliage looks out of character with the rest of the bush, this may be something to keep an eye on as it could be a virus called Rose Rosette and there is no cure for it. If the bushes get it, the best thing is to destroy them and buy new rosebushes. The white spots may be mealy bugs.
Here are a couple links to articles for you:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/knockout-roses/care-knockout-roses.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/mealybugs-white-residue-on-plants-leaves.htm
We have a knock out rose that came out this spring with several blooms on it. After the blooms died off, there was no indication that any new buds were forming. We cut the dead roses off and I fed the bush with some Ortho rose food. That was about 2 weeks ago and we have been watering in between rain at least 3-4 times a week. Right now there no new buds forming and the plant appears to be dying. What should I do?
Regards, Major N. Collins
Check to see if anything has been inadvertently poured on the ground near the rosebushes that could have burned the root system. Be sure the rosebushes soils are not too wet. Soaked soils do not allow proper oxygen movement into the soils and will choke off and kill a rosebush. Look the bushes over well and see if there are any insects causing problems, such as Thrips or Spider Mites. Check the foliage over well to see if any funguses are attacking the foliage. Here is a link to a website where you can visually identify some of the problems with roses: http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/Portals/0/Gardening/Gardening%20Help/Visual%20Guides/Rose%20Problems.pdf . It is best to positively ID what a problem may be so that the right course of action is taken.
Here is another link for you as well: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/roses/no-blooms-on-roses.htm
Here is an article link on Knockout roses too: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/knockout-roses/care-knockout-roses.htm
My knockout rosebush bloomed fine all year last year. This year, after spring pruning, branches are growing great, but not a single bud has appeared. What am I missing?
It could be that the fertilizer being used is too high in nitrogen. Repeated applications of the Miracle Gro Liqua Feed and others like that can lead to lots of great foliage but either no blooms or next to no blooms. Check out this article link too: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/roses/no-blooms-on-roses.htm
They were infested with Japanese beetles and their leaves are yellowish.
I would not prune the rosebushes back more than 4 to 5 inches at this point. They are probably very stressed out by the Japanese Beetles attacking them, they need to be kept watered well. I recommend watering them with some water that has a product called Super Thrive mixed into the water along with a little water soluble fertilizer, not as much as you might typically use but about half that amount on the fertilizer. This will help them deal with the shock and stress they are currently under. I would also recommend spraying the rosebushes with either Bayer Complete insecticide or Sevin to help lessen the Japanese Beetle problems.
Our knock out rose bush leaves have whitish spots on them. Is this insects or disease? They seem to be growing well, but I'm afraid they will die if the spots on them continue.
The white spots could be Mealy Bugs or perhaps Spider Mites. They could also be the beginnings of Powdering Mildew or could be dust particles from something being applied in a neighboring property. Could also be ash from a fire if there have been any in the area. The action to take is to see if the spots can be dusted off with just a flick of the foliage, or if the spots move when you touch the foliage. If they move then then are likely mealy bugs or spider mites, an application of Insecticidal Soap mix should gain control. If the spots do not dust off and do not move, it might be a good idea to spray the rosebushes down with a good fungicide such as earth friendly Green Cure. You can purchase Green Cure on-line.
First of all, I know nothing about roses. I saw beautiful full round knockout roses in the area so I bought planted about 10 bushes this spring. I cut them back just after planting because they were spindly looking. They grew fine throughout the summer, although they are still not really the shape I would like - I want more of a round big bush they are more tall thin at the bottom. It has grown cold in Nebraska and there have been mornings with frost on my car windshield. I really don't know what exactly to do with my bushes for winter, as everything I read on the internet just confuses me more. Can I cut them down now and, if so, how short can I cut them? If not now, when should I cut them back? Do I need to cover them for winter and, if so, what is the cheapest easiest way to do this? Any info you could provide would be helpful!!! Thanks!
Here is a link to an article that you should find very helpful for all of your questions. If you have more questions after reading the article, please feel free to ask them here as well. The Knockout roses winter care is really no different than other rosebushes. Here is the link: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/roses/roses-winter-care.htm