How to Prevent Rose Diseases

Roses are considered the queen of all flowers and a rose garden can be a lovely and fragrant setting. Unfortunately, once a rose bush becomes infected with a disease it can easily infect other nearby bushes and sometimes the only cure (such as with cankers) is to destroy the infected bush. Prevention is the first defense against disease when it comes to your rose bushes. If you want a healthy rose garden, then there is something you can do.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Plant healthy, disease free rose bushes. Don't be tempted to bring sickly rose bushes to your garden, in attempt to nurse them back to health. They will simply make your other rose bushes sick.

2. Space your rose bushes sufficiently when planting. Rose bushes that are crowded are prone to disease.

3. Choose a sunny area to plant the rose bushes. If your rose bush doesn't get sufficient sunshine it is prone to disease.

4. Avoid too much moisture and soggy soil. If you live in a wet area, you may want to reconsider rose bushes or consider indoor gardening. Dampness can make your rose bush vulnerable to disease.

5. Sanitize your garden shears before and after each use. After washing and drying, wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol. One of the fastest ways to get your rose bush sick is to use a tool that hasn't been thoroughly cleaned.

6. Ban the careless gardener from the rose garden. Rose bushes that are injured from careless handling or being knocked with a gardening tool will be vulnerable to disease - typically from fungus or bacteria.

7. Remove and destroy any diseased rose bushes from the garden, so they won't get your healthy bushes sick.