I've one rose which is beign eaten by something i can't see. It attacks the buds just before the flower opens. it eats the green outer layer of the bud exposing the pink petals and making the bud look rounded ratehr than pointed. the bush is also very scraggly looking - small redish leaves and just one long stem, not busy....
the bush is next to some hollyhocks which also look ill, suffer rust and have infestations of bugs on the buds (though i've never seen these on the rose)
2007-07-20 02:43:27 · 12 answers · asked by star 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
ps. i wont use anything not organic
2007-07-20 02:49:29 · update #1
They could be beetles like the rose chafer, or a caterpillar like the rose budworm.
Use Neem oil to spray the rose and hollyhocks if unsure of the exact pest or a new organic product for roses Rose Pharm if you can find the specific pest to spray. The oil will offer longer term protection but will kill juvenile lady beetles also.
The soap spray will act only while it remains wet. This spray is best applied very early AM or evenings so it doesn't dry to quickly nor does it 'burn' the plants.
http://pharmsolutionsinc.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1
Kaolin, or white clay-based products such as 'Surround'. Act as abrasives on soft bodied aphids. Regular white flour also works, when dusted, by blocking their breathing and when eaten by caterpillars is toxic. Neither of these is pretty since they leave the plant dusty so you may wish to rinse the plant in a few days.
2007-07-20 10:55:41 · answer #1 · answered by gardengallivant 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your hollyhocks sound as if they have greenfly that are attacking the soft bud tissue .this in turn can spread to the neighbouring rose.
But I tend to think as you have not seen sign es of bugs on the rose ,that the hollyhocks are draining vital nutrients and water from the rose.
If the rose was moved , fed and replanted further away this would help.
remember to move the rose at the right time of year.Also give the rose a good prune as this will remove any bugs or diseased shouts
2007-07-22 20:34:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aphids or spider mites. They're not easy to see & suck the juices out of the rose.
Knock Aphids off with a strong spray of water.
If that doesn't get rid of them, spray them with 1 oz. Ivory Dishwashing Liquid to 1 gallon of water.
Also for aphids, mites, mealybugs & other soft-bodied insects: Use 1/4-cup of Murphy's Oil Soap in a gallon of warm water. http://www.hillgardens.com/home_brew_sprays.htm
or...
Mites and other insects: Mix two tablespoons of hot pepper sauce or cayenne pepper with a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Let stand overnight, then stir and pour into a spray bottle and apply as above. Shake container frequently during application
http://eartheasy.com/grow_nat_pest_cntrl.htm
Use Diatomaceous earth (DE), a naturally occuring substance harvested from the ocean floor. Put in a plastic squirt bottle & squirt on the plants. It cuts insects & pests to shards.
For the long term control encourage beneficial insects ...ladybugs, lacewings, preying mantis.
Good luck! Hope this helps.
2007-07-20 10:00:40 · answer #3 · answered by ANGEL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be Thrips or Rose bud worm. Here is a site that discusses all the different insects and the damage they cause. Hopefully this will help you identify and control the culprit.
http://www.yardener.com/ProblemsofBushRoses.html
Good luck
2007-07-20 11:27:24 · answer #4 · answered by Sptfyr 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Snails and slugs are a pain for it. They eat anything. I had the same with my daughters sunflower. Every day id go out there and more leaves would be eaten. Try putting down slug pellets.
2007-07-20 09:47:08 · answer #5 · answered by HeatherzFeatherz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Japanese Beetles! They are horrible. You have to spray every night/day for them or get those Beetle stakes and place around your rose garden so that they can be caught before getting to your garden. I had to stop planting roses because we have a huge problem. I love roses.
2007-07-20 09:47:37 · answer #6 · answered by pfl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
caterpillars? Chipmunks? Try moving them to a new area, you could have a grub problem too
2007-07-20 09:45:58 · answer #7 · answered by Starr G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.lostsaga.com/common/remain.asp?RI=d5e78fcf7a2544ba3646
click on the link and look at the top of left side, click the first button
then you can get a lot of information.
2007-07-20 09:45:34 · answer #8 · answered by dlstnsdl d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Blackflies and aphids.
2007-07-22 12:03:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
give them a good spray with bug killer
2007-07-20 09:46:07 · answer #10 · answered by sjhynes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋