How to Control Black-Spot Disease on Rose Bushes
Black-spot disease on rose leaves is caused by a fungus. Once the leaves contract the disease, they turn yellow, then brown and eventually fall off the rose bush. The rainy season is the most common time for rose bushes to contract this disease. The disease can start taking over rose leaves just seven hours after being exposed to humid, warm conditions. Pruning, cleaning up dead leaves and fungicide sprays are the best tactics for ridding your rose plants of black spot. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Prune any damaged or diseased leaves or branches of the rose bush. Dip bypass shears in a mixture of 10-percent denatured alcohol and water. Clean your shears after every cut to avoid spreading the spores.
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Remove all dead leaves and branches from underneath the bush. The spores living on the leaves can continually infect the plant and nearby rose bushes. Throw away the leaves in heavy-duty garbage bags or burn them.
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Mix up your own home fungicide by combining 1 qt. of water with a few drops of dish soap and 1 tbsp. of baking powder. This dish soap allows the baking powder to attach itself on the leaves. Spray your rose bush on a sunny day.
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Apply conventional fungicide specifically formulated to kill black-spot disease. Spray both sides of infected leaves, as well as leaves where no fungi is present. Follow the instructions on the spray, and spray again after seven days.
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Transplant rose bushes that have grown too close together. Lack of air circulation breeds fungi diseases. Water the area thoroughly. Dig several inches away from the root system and lift the roots from underneath. Place the rose bush in an area 4 feet apart from the other rose bushes.
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Tips & Warnings
Water your rose bushes underneath the plant and dry off any water that has splashed on leaves.
Avoid watering late in the day to allow water to evaporate and reduce the risk of black-spot disease.
