How to Troubleshoot Rose Pests

So you've got bugs chewing on your prize roses? Well, here's something the folks at the nursery probably didn't tell you: Rose pests rarely cause permanent damage. Furthermore, most of them have natural predators that usually keep bad-guy populations in check if you don't use pesticides.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Understand the symptoms of rose pests. They aren't often clearly visible, but the sick plant is. Distorted, curled and stick foliage can result. Holes in flowers or buds, and skeleton leaves can appear. You shoots and flower buds turn black and die, or fail to open at all. When they do, the petals can often be marked with brown spots.

2. Know your enemy. The most common rose pests are aphids, the rose midge, cane borers, Japanese beetles, the bristly rose slug and thrips. Leaf-cutter bees cause slight cosmetic damage (small holes, skeleton foliage), but a great pollinators of other plants, so think twice before killing those.

3. Dislodge the pests with a strong stream of water.

4. Spray the plant with insecticidal soap.

5. Encourage predators (of rose pests) to nearby plants by planting sunflowers or geraniums nearby.

6. Plant garlic or chives in the plant soil.

7. Cut loose any clinging pests, and chop canes that have holes in them.

8. Cover any holes or external wounds that you made saving the plant with white glue or petroleum jelly.

9. Spray with a steady stream of water again. Excess insecticide will wash off, while sufficient levels are absorbed.

on 1/23/2006 To keep deer from nibbling those tender young sprouts and buds, plant lavender between your roses. It's a natural deer repellent, and a wonderful scent-addition to any garden!
Be sure to choose a lavender species that will do best in your climate and is tolerant to wet conditions.