Root-Of-The-Problem Rose Chart

Root-of-the-Problem Rose Chart

The first line of defense against any rose problem is a strong, healthy plant. Most rose problems are a reflection of the plant’s environment. Poor drainage, inconsistent watering practices, poor soil preparation, insects, diseases - all are environmental conditions. The good news is that these problems can be successfully countered or avoided!

Cultural Problems:

• Symptom: Leggy growth with no flower buds.
  Possible Cause: Inadequate sunlight.
  Remedy: Plant roses where they will receive 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.
• Symptom: “Blindwood.” Canes produce nothing but leaves…no blooms.
  Possible Cause: Over fertilization with a high-nitrogen fertilizer or inadequate sunlight.
  Remedy: Reduce fertilizer application especially nitrogen. More harm is done by fertilizing than by under-fertilizing. Prune back blind wood.
• Symptom: “Sucker growth” from below the bud union. Identification may be difficult. Sucker growth will be distinctively different from normal growth and will generally produce no flowers. The canes are small in diameter, but exceptionally long. Do not confuse with the basal growth of the variety which comes from above the bud union.
  Possible Cause: Winter kill of the varietals top in cold areas. Roses have not been winterized or maintained properly.
  Remedy: Using a sharp knife, remove sucker growth where it joins the main portion of the plant. Remove all of it.

Disease Problems:

• Symptom: Leaves fold at mid-rib. They may be unusually red in appearance. White powdery material is on the forming buds and the leaves. Blooms fail to open, or only partially open.
  Possible Cause: Powdery Mildew- Favored by cool nights, warm days and high humidity. Failure of blooms to open can also indicate botrytis.
  Remedy: Spray with Benomyl.
• Symptom: Dark black spots on the leaves. They can be as small as a pin head, but are not usually noticed until the smaller spots run together forming larger spots which may cover half of the leaf surface. Leaves turn yellow and fall from the plant during periods of high infection. Affected leaves are always near the bottom of the plant.
  Possible Cause: Blackspot - Caused by a fungus which is favored by periods of rain.
  Remedy: Scheduled sprayings with fungicides such as daconil.
• Symptom: Brown spots on the petals. In severe cases, random areas of the blooms will also become brown as the fungi spread. Blooms may not open or only partially open. The disease is more pronounced on varieties with a large number of petals (40 or more).
  Possible Cause: Botrytis Blight - Usually occurs during rainy periods of cold, wet weather.
  Remedy: Sprays for mildew or blackspot will help.
• Symptom: Canes begin to turn brown from their ends. This condition is most prevalent in colder areas. It is usually first noticed when growth begins in the spring, after winter protection has been removed.
  Possible Cause: Dieback - Cames have been injured by cold, and fungi have invaded the injured canes.
  Remedy: Cut off the brown sections of the canes, making the cut well below the discolored area. Spray with fungicide after pruning. Provide adequate winter protection.
• Symptom: Canes turn brown for reasons other than winter injury. Very similar to dieback, but more likely to occur in late spring or fall.
  Possible Cause: Canker - Could be one of several types of fungi. Infection is allowed by poor cultural practices which impair plant vigor. Improper pruning cuts allow infection to start.
  Remedy: Remove cankered canes by cutting well below the afflicted areas. Provide optimum growing conditions and air circulation. Sterilize pruning shears after each cut to prevent spreading fungus.
• Symptom: Tumor-like growth on canes or roots, but most frequently at the bud union.
  Possible Cause: Gall (crown, root or aerial) - A bacteria has entered the plant via a cut or other wound.
  Remedy: Prune away the affected sections. In the case of crown gall, destroy the entire plant. Sterilize the shears after each cut to prevent the spread of diseased. If roots and soil have become infected, professional fumigation of the soil is recommended.

Insect Problems:

• Symptom: Curled leaves and/or malformed flowers.
  Possible Cause: Aphids - Red or green insects, usually wingless and about 1/8th inch long, found mostly on new growth near developing buds. They prefer cooler weather in the spring or fall.
  Remedy: Spray with Concern Insecticidal insect spray.
• Symptom: Blooms are discolored with white spots and/or blooms fail to open.
  Possible Cause: Thrips - Light brown insects, very slender and less than 1/8th inch long and move very quickly.
  Remedy: Spray with Orthene from the time blooms are in tight bud, through full bloom. Thrips hide within the petals. To observe them, fold back the petals, exposing the flower base.
• Symptom: The bottom leaves on the plant appear to be fine grains of sand on the under surfaces. The leaves turn yellow and fall off.
  Possible Cause: Red Spider - Microscopic in size, these insects may be visible to the unaided eye as reddish specks. They can spread very quickly and favor the hottest days in midsummer.
  Remedy: Spray with Concern Insecticidal Spray or any insecticidal soap during periods which favor the growth and spread of this insect. Direct spray upward, to the undersides of the bottom leaves.
• Symptom: Tissue of the leaves has been eaten, leaving only the skeleton of the leaf. Unopened flower buds have been devoured.
  Possible Cause: Japanese Beetle - Metallic brown insects with green heads. They are usually found only in the Northeastern U.S. Grubs of the beetle feed on lawns and grassy areas until late spring, then feed on roses in late spring or early summer.
  Remedy: Spray with Carbaryl when beetles are actively feeding on the roses. Traps can also be used.
• Symptom: Green or red moss-like balls on rose canes or surrounding unopened blooms.
  Possible Cause: Mossy Gall Wasp - The moss-like balls contain eggs deposited by the parent.
  Remedy: Cut off and destroy the infested area.
• Symptom: Holes in pruned cane ends. Circular pieces eaten from the leaf margins.
  Possible Cause: Leaf Cutter Bee - The circular leaf pieces are used for egg partitions inside the burrowed cane.
  Remedy: This insect will be controlled by using mild insectides and applying white glue to the cane ends.
• Symptom: Drooping, unopened buds, accompanied by a small, slightly discolored entrance hole just below the flower bud.
  Possible Cause: Raspberry Cane Borer
  Remedy: Prune well below the entrance hole. Seal ends of canes with white glue.