Troubleshooting Roses

It takes a watchful eye to grow the perfect rose.

Ragged petals, spotted foliage and failure to bloom are among the most common complaints associated with rose bushes and vines. Your local extension service can help with the most common culprits in your region, which often include bugs, rainfall totals, disease and poor soil.

Pests

Aphids, and the ants that "farm" aphids are classic rose pests. Fortunately, both are easily dealt with by a strong blast of water from your hose, as are spider mites. Japanese beetles also munch on rose bushes. Because they are so easily visible, hand picking the beetles and dropping them into a bucket of soapy water is an easy solution. An organic solution known as milk spore disease can also kill the larvae of plant-eaters like beetles.

Disease

Black spots, rust, canker or mildew that turns your leaves white are common rose diseases that affect foliage and stems. Treat them with fungicide from the garden center. Keeping your pruners clean, watering the soil rather than leaves and cleaning up nearby plant debris all help prevent fungal outbreaks.

Failure to Bloom

Roses won't bloom without adequate moisture. Check the soil and soak the area around your bushes if the soil feels dry. Poor soil fertility may also lower rose production. Fertilize with rose-specific plant food three times during the growing season.

References

• Kansas State University: Roses
• "The Garden Primer"; Barbara Damrosch; 2002
• North Dakota State University Extension: Questions on Roses