| What besides Epsom salt is a Home Remedy for black spots on roses? HELP!!! Also what is a good item to rid roses of Japanese Beetles?? Need answer, please, ASAP!! Have already lost one rose! Thank You, Brenda |
| I'm afraid I don't know any home remedy that's effective on black spot. Gardeners who want to keep their rose garden the envy of the neighborhood should plan to keep black spot fungus disease under control. Black spot is rose "public enemy number one" and commonly makes its appearance in the spring following warm, wet weather. Symptoms of black spot begin on leaves as small, pin-head sized black or dark brown spots which are circular in shape. The spots increase in size, and infected leaves eventually turn yellow and fall from the plant. Continued plant attack by black spot results in unattractive foliage as well as reduced size, number, and quality of blooms. Successive seasons of defoliation weakens plants and increases susceptibility to winter kill and other disorders. Black spot usually occurs on the lower portion of the rose bush first and moves upward as the season progresses. Leaves are most susceptible to infection when young but can be invaded at any point of development during periods when showers are numerous. Rose varieties vary in susceptibility to the black spot fungus. Grandiflora and floribunda types are generally more resistant than hybrid tea varieties, and gardeners who have hybrid teas in their planting should plan to carry out a full-season black spot control program. The following control guidelines are suggested. When watering overhead, do so early in the day so that plants have a chance to thoroughly dry before nightfall. Since moisture on leaves is necessary for infection to take place, this cultural procedure is very important in cutting down on foliage infection. A regular fungicide spray program throughout the growing season is generally necessary to control blackspot. Gardeners might want to try Immunex fungicide. This relatively new black spot control product contains propiconazole as the active ingredient and, when used in accordance with label directions, is highly effective for black spot as well as powdery mildew and rust. Daconil 2787 (and other chlorothalonil containing fungicides), maneb, and Funginex, as well as other products, are also recommended black spot control. Most fungicides can safely be combined with insecticides and miticides and will perform better when a small amount of spreader- sticker material is added to the spray solution. Dust formulations of rose fungicides generally don't provide the same level of control as liquids. Regularity of spraying and thorough coverage are important to control. It's important to realize that fungicides protect plants from infection, and once the black spot fungus has invaded foliage, fungicide application is of limited value. For this reason, keep your plants covered with a protective fungicide at all times during the growing season If only a few leaves show symptoms of black spot, remove and burn them. This will cut down on fungus spread to healthy foliage. Remove all diseased leaves from around the plants in the fall and destroy. Next winter, consider use of a dormant fungicide such as lime sulfur to reduce overwintering black spot inoculum which could cause problems the following spring. New plantings should be in areas with good air circulation to promote rapid drying of leaves. Also, avoid shady areas and dense plantings where high humidity problems are most likely to occur. Just how important is rose disease control? Any successful grower will tell you, "Don't even think about growing roses unless you are willing to devote special attention to the control of diseases and other pests." Yet, for individuals who are truly fond of roses, the pleasure of producing their own blooms will justify the time and expense required to keep disease problems to a minimum. Diazinon and Sevin sprays will take down the adult Japanese beetles. Be sure to follow the label directions EXACTLY and use care when spraying ANY poisons. Rotenone and Pyrethrum sprays are also effective .While these are made from plant sources and more environmentally-friendly, they are still poisons and should also be used with care. Neem oil has also been suggested, though with varying success reported. Whichever one you choose, the sprays must contact the insect to be effective. Mechnical methods: The classic pick-and-squish-or-stomp method works, especially with small infestations on specific plants. Some gardeners knock the slow-flying insects into containers of soapy water, kerosene or oil. Vacuum cleaners are also suggested, particularly the small " Dust-Buster" portable types. |
