Roses aren’t the fragile garden beauties so many people think they are – the plain fact is they’re as durable and pest-resistant as most other woody landscape shrubs. And choosing varieties with strong disease resistance and pest tolerance – and giving them excellent care – is the ticket to gorgeous results.
If you practice Integrated Pest Management and keep a constant eye on your plants, your roses can stay healthy without the need of chemical sprays.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Letting your roses go unchecked can set them up for attack.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
The truth is that roses don’t need much extra care to keep them healthier than your other garden plants. Start by giving them regular, adequate waterings and fertilizing them properly. After all, healthy plants are much more able to fight off soil- and wind-borne diseases, insect infestations and other care problems.
Also, avoid indiscriminate chemical spraying and pesticide application. Natural predators exist in nearly every environment that help control insect pests and compete with disease organisms. An organic, thriving garden is best able to ward off pest and disease problems.
The USDA’s Agricultural Extension also recommends that gardeners practice IPM – Integrated Pest Management. Its basic tenets are to inspect garden plants often to detect pest and disease problems early, to promptly treat infestations and infections using hand-picking and spot applications with the least-toxic remedies, and then to use cures of increasing strength to obtain control, while limiting damage to the rest of the landscape and environment.
The key word is “control.” It’s rarely possible to completely exterminate pests or eradicate disease, so your goal should be to control them. Start by looking closely at your plants every few days as you care for them – when weeding, watering, fertilizing and pruning – as well as when enjoying your garden.
If you do happen to notice pests, carefully identify them before treatment. Most insect pests can be hand-picked or washed off with either plain or soapy water. On occasion, a few may require biological or chemical treatments with an agent chosen specifically for the pest problem and particular plant.
The least toxic pesticides to use on plants are soaps, which smother pests. Biological pesticides – Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for example – contain harmless living organisms that attack some pests. Botanical pesticides, including pyrethrin and rotenone, are toxic substances extracted from some chrysanthemum family or tropical plants. Chemical pesticides – contact sprays – are synthetic poisons that affect many species of pests, as well as beneficial insects.
Only apply pesticide sprays directly to infested areas, and use control agents specific to the pest. Always carefully read and follow label instructions, and wear protective clothing and a respirator when applying garden chemicals. (Follow the steps shown in the pictures and described in their captions at the end of this article for more information.)
By following a few key tenets of IPM, your rose woes should be few and far between. And when you do have problems, you should be able to knock them down easily before they get out of control. After all, roses – especially well-cared-for ones – are tougher than you might think.
Insecticidal Rose Spraying
Insecticidal Rose Spraying - Step 1
After properly identifying the pest attacking your rose, select the least-toxic control agent listing that pest – and your plant – on its label. Water your plant thoroughly the day before pesticide application, taking care to avoid splashing the foliage. The day of application, mix solutions in disposable containers. Read and carefully follow all package label instructions, including safety warnings.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Insecticidal Rose Spraying - Step 2
On a warm, wind-free day while wearing a respirator, gloves and protective clothing, apply the pesticide spray only to the affected areas of the plant, avoiding overspray to nearby plants. (Be sure to spray leaf undersides and stems if necessary.)
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Insecticidal Rose Spraying - Step 3
Water your sprayed plant, avoiding wetting its leaves. (Foliage should be completely dry by sundown.)
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Insecticidal Rose Spraying - Step 4
Thoroughly wash applicators and mixing equipment. Wrap disposables in newsprint and discard in the garbage or as directed on the pesticide packaging label. (Do not recycle pesticide containers!) Wash hands thoroughly when finished.
Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
