My rose leaves have white on them, I'm assuming mold?

Question

What is the best product to use to get rid of the mold? I live in Southern California and the rose bush is 'Eiffel Tower' a Hybrid Tea rose .

Here is a picture:

http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb102/janicer8/rosemold.jpg

Thanks!

Answer 1

What you have is a fungus called "powdery mildew" (Sphaerotheca pannosa). It can develop on any susceptible green plant tissue or on flowers and fruits. The pathogen usually appears as a grayish or white powdery growth on leaves and other infected tissue. PM spreads as windblown spores and only survives on plant tissue and in dormant buds and does not survive in the soil. It may however, overwinter on fallen leaves as little round structures (cleistothecia). It grows best at moderate temperatures and in shade, but may occur in humid, foggy, areas as well as in dry locations. The fungi favor warm days and cool nights (at leaf temperatures above 90 degrees some powdery mildew spores and mycelia are killed). You can purchase a fungicide at any leading garden center to treat this. Be warned, however, that this application will only protect the foliage that has not been infected, and will in no way, "reverse" the damage that has already been done. Ortho makes a couple of fungicides for powdery mildew, specifically for roses. Just make sure that what ever you apply, can be used for powdery mildew. Hope this answers your question.
These (2) products are endorsed by the "American Rose Society"...

http://shop.resellerratings.com/PD-25935180/vk-25935180
http://www.ortho.com/index.cfm/event/ProductGuide.product/documentId/863cc45221398f041343e1c1f9ee51b8

**Billy Ray**

Answer 2

You have powdery mildew. Get some neem oil and mix it according to package instructions. Put it in a spray bottle and spray the whole plant. First pick off the leaves that are most infected. You may have to repeat the process. Powdery mildew will eventually kill the plant if you don't get it under control.

Answer 3

It really doesn't look like a fungus(mold) to me. Looks more like some residue from a foliar spray of some sort. Have you recently sprayed for insects or applied a foliar fertilizer? I'd take the leaf to a local nursery or your County Extension Agent. I've never heard of anything like plant gangrene. Your plants look very healthy from the picture. If it does turn out to be a fungus, many fungicides are on the market and an expert can tell you which one will work best for you.

You might also want to look into Earth kind Roses. They require almost no care after using good planting techniques. I've had 7 plants of 4 varieties, Knockout, Easy Livin', Carefree Beauty and Mitabilis since early spring and have not sprayed or fertilized them at all and they are beautiful. They bloom almost constantly.

Answer 4

Well, it definitely looks like powdery mildew to me. There is a really easy solution for your problem. Mix 1 part milk to 8 parts water in a spray bottle and spray your roses every few days making sure to get the tops and bottoms of the leaves, canes, and trunk until gone. Whole or low fat doesn't matter, but whole could clog your spray bottle. Also, spray early in the morning.
Good Luck

Answer 5

This is probably not mold but powdery mildew...this is very common to roses. (it is a disease that many plants get by over watering or from the soil)

If you want to go the natural route...then try washing them with a solution of water and safer's soap. This may kill it.

If not, then take a piece of it to the nursery where you live and they will tell you the best (but probably expensive) poison for it...

OR....

you could just try to find a decent fungiside at your WalMart...I would try to go to a Super WalMart as this is where your best selection will be.

Anyway, you need a fungiside. However you get it (at a nursery, WalMart, or have it professionally applied...this is how to get a good one!) you need to get rid of the Mildew as this will kill your plant eventually.

Powdery Mildew is also something that will spread to your other plants. When you water, try not splash the water onto your other plants (just place the hose on the ground and let it trickle onto your roots) or this will make them sick too.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

I have to agree, powdery mildew is probably not present......you'd be showing up new growth pictures where the white is abundant. This could be foliar fertilizer spray residue or even just water residue if your water is high in minerals.

Look at new growth......is the white stuff up there? If so it's most likely powdery mildew (and the leaves would be rolling a bit) which is common with season change when night temps drop but days remain warm. Also roses vary in resistance to PM, some are prone, others rarely see it. Fungicides don't cure, they just retard the spread.

Answer 7

Do NOT cut the leaves off. That encourages gangrene.. plant-speaking, of course. Go to WalMart and buy something that deals with mold. They always have something for all sorts of bugs, mold, and black spot disease. Also, do not water the plants from above. Leaving water droplets on the leaves do cause mold just like leaving water droplets on walls and bread. Water the ground instead. After a rain, gently shake the stems of the plants to get the droplets off. Oh, and if you see the leaves' tips turning yellow, it means you've been feeding them tap water - it has fluoride in it. We need it for our teeth, but plants do not have teeth. Feed them fresh water.

Answer 8

looks like powdery mildew. This particular disease does not like moisture. try watering regularly

Answer 9

perhaps you can try to cut the infected leaves and put some more nutrients for the plant in the soil, like NPK 10/10/10 and try to correct the soil pH.
Hope I´ve helped

Answer 10

That's overspray from when the painter was painting the house.

Who in the hell keeps giving me a thumbs down? I'm not stupid! I know what I'm talking about!!

Assholes!!!