The Guide To Treating And Caring f\For Your Roses

By Steve Williams

Small black circular spots on your roses' leaves, with fringed edges, are signs of a disease known as the Black Spot. It is usually best to remove the affected leaves, and not to allow any to remain on or around the area surrounding the flowers, as they may cause the disease to spread to other plants. Artificial sprays may be used to treat this.

If you notice that the canes of your roses seem stunted or malformed, they probably have a fungal disease known as powdery mildew. Evidence of this is seen on the plant in white powder spread by the wind, and the leaves will start to curl and turn purple. It is best to treat the plant with Funginex or Benomyl to treat this fungal disease.

If you start to see orange-red blisters begin to form on leaves that turn black during the fall, you should collect the leaves that come down in the fall, as they are signs of a disease called rust. Removal of the leaves is important as the disease can survive the winter and attack new sprouts in the spring. Spray with Benomyl or Funginex every 7-10 days.

If the leaves or the flowers of the plant appear to be stunted or malformed, you may have spider-mites living on the rose. They are easily found, yellow, red, or green spiders usually found on the undersides of the leaves, where they proceed to suck the juice from leaves. Use Orthene or Isotox to take care of the infestation.

If you see small red, green, or brown bugs under your plants, you have an infestation of aphids. Tell-tale signs of an infestation are mottled leaves and small white webs underneath the leaves. Oft-times the bugs will be found clustered under leaves or near the tender buds, where they will suck the juices. You can use Diazinon or Malathion to clear the infestation.

If your flowers don't open, or are deformed when they open, Thrips could be the reason behind the problem. They are slender, brown-yellow bugs with fringed wings that also suck juices from flower buds. Cut and discard the infested flowers. Orthene and malathion may also treat this problem. - 31813

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here