Growing Roses and Rose Problems

Rose probably suffer from more pests and diseases than any other group of shrubs. Fortunately, as roses are popular plants, most of the pests and diseases are well documented and easy to remedy! As with most problems, those associated with roses are best and easily prevented.

Where to grow roses

• Roses are best grown in open, well ventilated areas, without too much shade. Sunlight for at least three quarters of the day is ideal.
• Roses growing in the shade tend to end up with many problems, ranging from mildew to general malaise!

How to grow Roses

• Roses need to be correctly pruned; well fed; and watered when dry. Organic feeds such as bonemeal or good well rotted mulches will do the trick, giving you healthy roses which are not as susceptible to some diseases suffered by sickly un-cared for specimens. (Sounds familiar?)

Pests and diseases of Roses

• Roses suffer from a multitude of pests and diseases - far more problems than any other group of shrubs - which include aphids, blackspot, mildew - and gardeners who cannot prune roses properly.
• For greenfly and anything else on your rose that has legs, a simple course of insecticide will do the trick.
• For mildew and black spot - both fungal diseases. Mildew can be arrested by a good rose fungicide, or better still a combined spray such as Roseclear. This will also kill bugs! Blackspot is a pain! You cannot 'cure' infected leaves. Pick them off and burn them - this will help stop the problem recurring.
• Prevention is best. Start spraying with combined spray from early summer. If you don't like sprays, then good husbandry goes a long way, until the blackspot appears. There are varieties which are resistant to blackspot - and also mildew. There are no varieties which are resistant to bugs!