I recently received a question from reader, Dana, about spots on her roses. I thought I’d do my best to answer her question in a post, and then open it up to you. I figure between all of us, we can get Dana and her rose problem sorted out. She writes,
Mavis, all along my back fence, I have shrub roses. I love them, because they provide an entire season of color. This year, though, they dark spots on their leaves, and the leaves seem to be yellowing quickly. They look sickly, but they are still producing flowers. Any ideas what’s wrong with them? I really don’t want to lose them and have to dig up all of those thorny shrubs!
Honestly, Dana, I am not a huge rose person, simply because they are a little high maintenance for me. With that in mind, though, I did some digging {pun intended} and it sounds to me like your roses have a fungus called black spot {appropriately named!}.
Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be an immediate fix. You’ll want to remove any affected leaves as they fall from the bushes, as they will perpetuate the problem. You’ll also want to treat the roses with a fungicide. Neem oil is a good organic solution {make sure to apply it first thing in the morning or late evening when the bees have gone to bed, because it can kill bees, but is safe once it has dried}. Whatever you choose, follow regular applications from all the way through next year. Come this fall, make sure to once again remove ALL the fallen leaves from your beds as you do your fall clean-up.
Okay readers, have any of you dealt with this problem? What did you do?
~Mavis
Tammy says
No!!! Don’t dig them out!!!
I had some trouble with my roses last year, and took the leaves in to a local nursery that has a help desk. They quickly identified the problem, and told me what to buy to fix the issue. I don’t remember what the problem was but the spray they recommended took care of the issue very quickly.
Mama says
I would agree that it is likely “Black Spot”. I would add to also remove affected leaves from the bush if it wouldn’t strip the bush clean and be cautious to water only at the base of the roses. Neem oil should do the trick!
Carrie says
Take a clipping of the affected area to your county cooperative extension office. Master Gardeners are a great resource and love to help!
Nicky says
It’s a big problem here in the UK. My other half isn’t much of a gardener and isn’t keen on roses. Every year he cuts the rose down with a chainsaw when I’m not looking and every year it comes back healthier and more fantastic… A bit drastic but seems to sort out the black spot!!
Diana Pieti says
Roses do not like water on their leaves….water on the ground at the base and around the plant…do clean up in the fall, if you use a product, read and follow labels correctly
Jillian says
Cinnamon is also a great antifungal. Try the above comments and sprinkle some cinnamon on the soil around the base of the rose.
Diane says
I use a diluted milk spray. Somewhere between 10-30% milk diluted in water. Spray on leaves.
Something in the milk is supposed to have antifungal/bacterial action. It is also theorized to boost the plants own immunity.
I’ve used this to combat powdery mildew on my squash. It has worked for me.
I originally found out about this from a paper I read that was from a botanist in New Zealand. His application was on grape vines. He said in his paper that it also worked on black spot on roses.
Don’t go over 30% milk as it will get stinky in the sun. Of course, you’ll have to reapply if it rains.
It’s easy, doesn’t take too much time and besides almost everyone has a bit of milk handy in the fridge!