Keeping Your Roses Pest Free
Roses are very popular, very beautiful and one of the most colorful flowers there are. Keeping pesky insects out of your roses can be difficult.
It is very important to inspect your roses on a regular basis. Aphids, Japanese Beetles, Spider Mites, Whiteflies, Fungus & Mildew are the most common infestations. All infected areas must be carefully cut away immediately.
An anti-fungus/mildew spray can be made by mixing 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 2 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to 1 gallon of water. Remaining plant surfaces should be covered with this solution using a spray bottle or a garden hose attachment. Repeat every 2 weeks or as symptoms appear.
Getting rid of pesky insects by making the following solution: Mix 1 cup of vegetable oil with 1 tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap. Add 1 1.2 teaspoons of this solution to 1 cup of warm water & pour solution into a handheld spray bottle. Spray plants thoroughly & repeat weekly or as needed.
In addition to using pesticides, whether organic or chemical, here are a few companion plants that will not only be helpful in keeping aphids, Japenese beetles and other pesky insects away from your lovely roses. Garlic (insects can not tolerate garlic’s pungent aroma!), Marigolds (which also have a slightly spicy scent) and Mignoettes (also know as Reseda). Mignonettes are a fragrant, greenish flowering herb.
Introduce ladybugs into your garden. Ladybugs will happily munch on aphids & other soft-bodied insects. Ladybugs are available online, in some garden catalogs & in gardening stores/centers.
Warnings: Soap sprays work only as long as leaves are wet. Spraying mornings & evenings provide longer-lasting action.
Soap solutions may “burn” some plants. Test by spraying in a small, inconspicuous area of the plant to check for leaf browning first.
Once every 2 months, add Epsom Salts to the base of roses & water very thoroughly. This helps roses to grow healthier & better & produce more blooms.