Rose Bush Disease Treatment

Prevention is the best medicine.

The key to controlling rose diseases is to avert them in the first place by making informed choices. Local nursery staff can generally help a customer to choose the ideal variety for climate, region and zone. Many new species such as the Explorer series have been cultivated to survive very cold temperatures. They, along with many other species are hardy, disease-resistant and can thrive under severe conditions.

Aphids

Aphids can destroy roses.

Aphids love roses. These tiny green or black insects suck out nutrients from roses and can easily damage a rose bush very quickly. One easy organic way of getting rid of aphids is to blast them with a hard jet of water from the hose. This may have to be done for several days or weeks but the aphid infestation can be controlled quite simply with this method. Safer's insecticidal soap or a solution of mild soap and water sprayed on the aphids will cause them to shrivel and die.

Black Spot

Prevent black spot on leaves by watering from below.

Black spot is a fungal infection where leaves acquire black spots, begin o yellow and then fall off. Good air circulation between individual rose bushes and between the canes can help to avert black spot. Spray a fungicide on the affected roses every week to 10 days to help treat this fungus. Watering the plant from beneath and/or early in the day can help to prevent this fungus from appearing. Diseased parts of the plant must be pruned out and destroyed.

Powdery Mildew

A baking soda solution sprayed on your roses will help reduce powdery mildew.

Powdery mildew usually appears when summer days are hot and the nights are humid. All diseased foliage and stems should be removed and destroyed. Treat roses organically by mixing up a solution of baking soda, horticultural oil and mild dish soap with water. Mix 1 tablespoon each of dish soap and baking soda, along with two tablespoons of horticultural oil in a gallon of water. Mix well and spray the roses. This spray can be used as a preventative measure as well.

Rust

Rust is another fungal disease that is common to all roses, especially during cool but humid summers. Orange spots can be spied on the tops of the leaves. This disfiguring disease is not only fatal, but visually very unappealing. Rust can be prevented by employing good pruning methods that allow air to circulate through the canes. As with all other diseases, remove and destroy infected parts of the plants. Spray with a non-toxic dormant oil that's available at garden stores . You can also prevent infection by spraying a lime and sulfur solution on the roses every 10 days starting in early spring until the disease has vanished.

Canker

Disinfect pruners after cutting off infected canes.

Roses can develop many variations of a fungal disease called canker. The fungus appear as dark spots on leaves and stems and slowly kills the rose. The only way to treat cankers is to cut off all infected canes and destroy them. Always disinfect the pruners after each cut in bleach mixed with water or wipe with alcohol to prevent re-infecting the plant.

References

• Gardening made Easy: Rose Diseases