Black Spot Fungus on Roses
Signs of Black Spot
I think all fledgling gardeners and those who have more experience, know the dreaded signs of “black spot”. You see the black spots on your rose leaves and sometimes yellowish edges on the leaves.
How can you save your favorite rose plants?
Black spot fungus attacks only roses. Those black spots that are found on the leaves are the actual fungus itself, not dead spots, as some gardeners have concluded.
This fungus lives on the canes and on the fallen dead leaves that lie on the ground during winter and then the fungus spreads to the leaves of living roses, when the garden soil is moist and wet.
Roses that grow in areas in which summers are warm and humid are most likely to suffer from black spot.
Black spot loves moist conditions. Good air circulation around your plants will inhibit black spot from forming on the leaves. I like to water my roses early in the day, allowing the moisture to dry during the heat of the day. To avoid spreading the fungus to yourself, never work on your roses when they are wet.
It is always best to work around them when it is dry, this lessens the likelihood of spreading. You should also clean tools with alcohol or bleach after working on affected rose plants. When you first notice the spots starting on your plants, apply a baking soda spray to help to control the fungus. It is also important to destroy the diseased leaves and not leave them on the ground.
Baking Soda Spray To Combat Fungus
2 tablespoons baking soda
1 gallon water
1 teaspoon vegetable oil/car wax.
Mix together and spray as necessary.
Finally, rake up the dead leaves around the roses you have already planted, this helps to stop the spread of black spot to other roses.
October 6th, 2007 at 3:46 am
Thank you for sharing!