When a rose bush goes into winter in this state, the buds are very vulnerable to winter injury. Often the bush will lose it’s leaves entirely and the rose bush becomes very weak and petal color may also become pale. They then turn yellow and promptly fall off. Small dark spots appear on the leaves, growing and eventually covering the leaf. Nearly every rose bush is susceptible to some degree, hybrid tea roses are generally the most susceptible. Preventing fungus from striking is the best defense.īlack Spot: Diplocarpon rosae, a fungal disease, is the most common and most rampant rose disease. Proper pruning to keep the centers open will allow better air circulation which can deter fungus from growing. Fungus that has overwintered will not be presented with such moist conditions, as the ground at the base of your plant will thaw and then dry out more rapidly in the warm temperatures. In Northern and Midwest gardens, leave winter protection in place to keep the plant dormant until the ground is well thawed and temperatures are warm. The spores can be carried on your hands, garden gloves, tools and clothes. And rain or sprinklers splashing water will spread fungus, 2 to 3 inches of mulch around your plants will minimize water splash. Most fungus disease can be spread by wind, water, insects and GARDENERS, so clean up after you have handled infected plants. Some of the rose diseases can be devastating to your plants, so check them diligently and work to prevent them in the first place.

There are of course non-chemical or organic solutions and prevention of rose disease, which should be your first line of defense.

They are generally sprays, or canisters of powder that is “puffed” out in a powdery mist onto your bush. Should a disease strike, there are many chemicals on the market that can help correct the problems, and some that will inhibit the diseases from striking in the first place. With a well selected rose bush, and proper care and attention, you may be able to avoid the worst of these problems. Many of the new hybrids, as well as some of the old fashioned rose bushes, are quite resistant to the viruses and fungi that can plague rose gardens. In northern and midwest gardens, rose bushes covered by snow may be protected from the cold, but the moist conditions in spring caused by slow melting snow can contribute to the problem of spreading disease which has over wintered in the ground and on the rose bush. Hardy rose bushes are not immune to the problems. Disease and Insects afflict a lot of flowering plants, but they can be devastating to rose bushes, especially black spot.

Dirty water splash gif