Common Rose Problems
Here is our handy guide to some of the most common rose issues. With our clear pictures you can easily spot which problem you are having, as well as why it may occur and what treatment to give.
Roses are generally very easy to grow in the UK. They need regular water and food throughout the growing season (March – August) and watering throughout the winter months if containerised. Whilst there are a few common rose problems that will affect roses, none are too serious, and with some basic treatment your roses will be back to their best in no time.
Growing Healthy Roses
Roses are generally very easy to grow in the UK. As outdoor plants, they like to be in a sunny position with some space to breathe. They need regular water and food throughout the growing season (March – August) and watering throughout the winter months if containerised.
How To Increase Rose Disease Resistance
Many roses are now bred with disease resistance in mind, and this varies according to the variety. However, this is resistance and not immunity. Even those with excellent disease resistance can suffer from common rose problems if the conditions are optimal. New strains will also constantly be arising that overcome resistance, and thus the best defence is to keep your roses as healthy as possible with food and water.
Feeding your roses an appropriate feed is the best way to keep them healthy and give them a fighting chance to resist these common rose problems. Liquid feed is absorbed quickly into the soil and nourishes the roots quickly, although many people prefer granular feed for ease of transport and application. A foliar feed spray such as our Plant Invigorator spray, not only nourishes the plant directly, but can also act as pest and disease control.
Make sure your roses are well watered all year round, and if containerised, that it is free draining so the roots do not get waterlogged. For more information on watering, including a watering schedule, please see here.
Roses need space to breathe, so try not to over-crowd your plants. The closer your plants are grouped, the easier it is for pests and diseases to spread quickly among them. Many common rose problems are not limited to roses and can be transferred from or to other plants, so if you do notice signs of any of the following, please also treat the other plants in the vicinity.
Black spot
What is black spot?
Rose black spot is a fungal disease affecting the foliage, and perhaps one of the most common rose problems. As the name suggests, black spot appears as dark purple-black spots on the leaves and stems.
How is black spot spread?
Black spot needs wet conditions to appear, but even the hottest of summers in the UK are not short of rain!
Spores are easily carried by wind-blown rain, making it difficult to completely prevent. It can also be transferred between nearby plants by wind or contact – for example using the same gloves and equipment, and even pets and wildlife can spread the spores as they brush past. Spores can also lay dormant in the soil over the winter, ready to reinfect the following spring.
Some varieties of rose are more resistant than others, but new strains arise that overcome resistance.
Will black spot harm my rose?
Although unsightly, black spot does not affect the health of the rose. Black spot is a very common issue with roses, and the steps for preventing and treating it are fairly straightforward. It’s worth noting that black spot may still develop despite your best efforts but not to worry, this is perfectly natural and a gentle reminder that we cannot control nature.
How to treat black spot
When the conditions are right (or wrong!) black spot can develop and spread incredibly quickly, even within a day, so early treatment is best to stop it spreading.
- Remove all affected foliage and dispose of it away from the plant. (Don’t worry, roses are very hardy and this will not harm the plant!)
- There are various topical treatments you can use, such as our Plant Invigorator Spray. This particular spray is also a foliar feed, and is wildlife and environmentally friendly. Affected foliage will still need removing – these treatments are not “cures” but will protect against any further bouts.
- Try and keep the leaves dry when watering. Water in the early morning rather than the evening which could leave leaves damp overnight and therefore susceptible to blackspot.
- Feed regularly to give your rose the best chance of resistance, and mulch in late winter.
My rose has arrived with black spot, what should I do?
We go to great lengths to send out roses which are free from blackspot, however as mentioned above it develops incredibly quickly in the right environmental conditions. In the event that you receive a rose with some affected leaves or your rose develops blackspot after a few days, please follow the steps above. Because black spot is naturally occurring and will not cause harm to your rose, we do not offer refunds or replacements for roses with black spot.
Aphids/Greenfly
What are aphids?
Also known as greenfly, aphids are insects that love roses, in particular the younger, softer growth of new leaves and flower buds. They are particularly active in early spring, but are very common garden visitors all summer long.
Will aphids/greenfly harm my rose?
Although unwanted, aphids are virtually harmless to the rose unless allowed to remain there long term.
The good news is that it shows your rose is part of a healthy and diverse habitat, not one devoid of all insects due to insecticide use.
We would discourage the use of harsh chemicals on your rose as this can have adverse affects on the wider environment, and instead encourage more environmentally friendly methods of removal.
How to treat aphids/greenfly
A few greenfly/aphids will cause little harm to your rose and will likely be appreciated as food for birds, ladybirds and other predators if left on your rose!
If your rose has a larger greenfly issue, there are several environmentally friendly options to treat them:
- Brush them off with a paintbrush, or wash them off with a hose or jet of water.
- You can also buy and release ladybirds onto infested roses to eat the aphids.
- Grow plants for natural aphid enemies like hoverflies – they’re particularly fond of umbellifers like fennel, cow parsley and sweet alyssum.
- For persistent problems with aphids, we would recommend a natural treatment such as our Plant Invigorator Spray. This removes the aphids in using a physical action rather than chemical. This particular spray is also a foliar feed, and is wildlife and environmentally friendly.
My rose has arrived with greenfly, what should I do?
We go to great lengths to send out roses which are free from greenfly. In the event that you receive a rose with some or your rose develops greenfly after a few days, please follow the steps above. Because greenfly are a naturally occurring insect and do little harm we do not offer refunds or replacements for roses with greenfly.
Mildew
What is mildew?
Rose powdery mildew is a fungal disease, with the leaves and buds covered in a white powder, often disfiguring the leaves.
How to treat mildew
Prune out and dispose of any infected leaves, and keep the soil around the roots moist at all times. You can also by grow mildew-resistant varieties.
Rust
What is rose rust?
Rose rust leads to a distinctive mottling of the leaves on the upper surface of the leaves, with orange coloured spots that turn black as they mature on the undersides.
How to treat rose rust
- Prune out infected stems and destroy them, along with any infected leaves.
- Grow roses with lots of room around them so the air can circulate, and prune out any congested growth.
Nutrient deficiency
What is nutrient deficiency?
Nutrient deficiencies can present a number of symptoms, including chlorosis and yellow, brown or purple discolouring of the leaves.
How to treat nutrient deficiency
- In the short-term, make sure they have plenty of the right feed. Liquid feed is absorbed into the soil faster, so should give speedier results.
- Avoid this in the long-term by mulching each year with good quality compost.
If you need any more help with your roses, please don’t hesitate to contact us! Our friendly team are knowledgeable, and if there’s a question we can’t answer then we can point you to the best place that might!
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