I have a (2) 4 year old Double Delight Hybrid Tea Fortuniana Roses. Both over the last few years have become a pathetic mess. They both have severe cases of black spot and have now become infested with Japanese Beetles. I have tried everything from sprays to cutting back and apply glue to the cutting sites, removing leaves you name it I have tried it! My questions are: 1. Would it help to transplant my babies into pots to remove from the infected soil? I understand the roses are infected but would a new site help? 2. What else could possibly help save my beauties?
Let's see if I can help a tad bit. Putting glue on the cut ends deters sawfly larvae from boring down into the cane and eventually killing it off. Japanese beetles can be hand picked or spray/dust with Sevin (try to avoid flowers and bees). Black spot is a fungus and can be controlled with fungicides. What you have now is there and wont go away, what you can do is slow down and possibly stop the growth of fungus for the rest of the year. This fall and next spring, remove all the foliage before winter and pick up any dead leaves. Next spring, before your roses ever start to grow begin to water with a systemic fungicide and continue throughout the season. You can also help by not watering the foliage or allowing water to splash back up (I know you can't control rain). Good air circulation and full sun is a must. At least full sun for the first part of the day to burn off rain and dew. (Maybe they need to be moved). Roses are heavy feeders. Feed monthly, I stop feeding by the last of August,(SW MI.) you may get away with late September. Next spring start your roses off with a double dose of food for a jump start and then regular feedings from there. Yes, the fungus is there, but you can control it. I have stripped plants and cut them back this time of year when I had rust so bad a few years back. The bushes came back strong and looked good with a fungicide. Hope this gives you something to look forward to. Ron
Thanks I will try this. I purchased one of the 3 in 1 rose care by Bayer the other day. I also have been pulling off leaves and cutting down the canes. I have decided to move the roses, The are in front of our house and the gutter spout is close to them so I think that would help also. Thank you again!
