Some issues that trouble us when growing roses are: black spots, powdery mildew, and aphids.
Black spots are a sign of disease spores that survive over the winter. To combat this:
- Choosing disease-resistant species. Some varieties you can choose are: fisherman roses, Just Joey, Chicago Peace, Gold Medal and Iceberg.
- Prune roses in the late winter and remove diseases stems
Powdery mildew occurs during the transition to summer, when days are dry and nights are humid. You can do the following to prevent this:
- Space plants adequately so the foliage can dry quickly.
- Use soaker hoses to water, so that foliage stays dry.
Aphids are fairly easy to control. Try these tips:
- Squish some of them to release a chemical signal. This will attract natural enemies like ladybird beetles, lacewings, and parasitoid wasps.
- A strong spray of water will wash them off your plants.
