I bought 6 Icebeg roses 8/27/22. I live in High desert California zone 8b-9. Temperatures were hitting the 100's. I opted not to plant since it was so hot and left in their containers.

I was using my water meter to test for moist and between 8/27/22 and 9/2/22, the leaves started browning, roses were dropping and dry. I could not figure why when soil said moist. I finally lifted out of the pots, and they were dry dry on outside. I watered the outside, started picking off the dead leaves which were many. The tips of a lot were still brown. No rain during this period.

Even though we never get rain, it has rained the past couple of days.

Now the base the bark is peeling and turning brown. Maybe mildew?, I believe it is a disease but do not know which one.

I am attaching photos from beginning to now. What should I do. Have I lost all of them? Please help!

The browning of the "trunk" looks like normal maturation to me. If the soil drains well, you are unlikely to over water. Keep them in at least partial shade and don't let them dry out. They are likely to recover.

It is best to insert a finger into the soil to see if the soil feels dry, moist or wet (not counting the mulch if you have any). They look ok but the leaves do not recover after a lack of soil moisture so you will have that reminder until you get new leaves in spring.

with Luis. I bought a rose marked down and had the same issue. What's happening is that the roses are so rootbound in the pots that there is very little soil left. Water can't penetrate the root ball as well. They will recover, but they will most likely lose nearly all their leaves.

Well this makes me feel better. Thank you for the responses.