I planted a climbing rose in this spring (called Rosa Don Juan that
has red flowers). Within this couple weeks, I see that the top surface
of the leaves in the lower part of plant have kind of a rusty color:

- This is not exactly the rusty fungus disease that I see in the
example shown in the book called "Ortho's All About Roses". In the
book (page 41), the rusty fungus are like many tiny small rusty spots.
But the one in my plant is like someone has dry-brushed
yellow-or-light-brown color on the leaves.

- I only see the rusty color on the top surface of the leaves. But
not in the underside of the leaves. Actually, I don't see anything
unusual in the underside of the leaves.

- The rusty color doesn't affect the veins of the leaves. It may or
may not affect the edge of the leaves -- hard to tell.

- The affected leaves feel dry. Normal leaves feel soft.

- This only affects the leaves in the lower part of the plant. This
seems to suggest some kind of fungus disease because the lower part of
the plant tend not to get as much air circulation as the upper part. I
have significantly cut back on other plants surround the rose to allow
more air circulation. But it doesn't show any improvement yet.

- I have applied fungicide to the plant every week since I planted
it. I am very surprised that it seems to catch some kind of fungus
disease. On the other hand, another rose that had significant black
spots problem last year is now free of any black spot (I also apply
fungicide on it every week).

- I have looked at all the possible problems listed in the book
mentioned above. But I cannot find anything that matches the problem
that my plant is having.

Please help me to identify the problem, and thanks in advance for any
suggestion.

Jay Chan