To be effective, the spraying of roses for the control of pests and diseases needs to be carried out properly and with the correct understanding of both the pest and the applicable pesticides.
A pesticide is a generally understood term for chemical compounds which control insects and diseases on plants.
Rust
Read more about environmentally responsible pest and disease control, beneficial insects and much more in Johan Gerber’s book called The Garden Guardian, Aardvark Press.
Pesticides are dived into three groups
- Insecticides (for the control of insects)
- Fungicides (for the control of fungus diseases such as powdery mildew and blackspot)
- Acaricides (for the control red spider)
Mealy bug
For best results spray regularly:
- In warm dry conditions – at least fortnightly
- Rainy, humid weather conditions – on a weekly basis.
To be able to control the different pests and diseases one combines several pesticides in a ‘COCKTAIL’ to avoid having to spray the roses several times in one week.
Pests and diseases become resistant to specific chemicals if these are used continuously. For this reason, it is good practice to alternate the pesticides.
Beetle
- Approximately one litre of spray solution is needed for 10 roses.
- Mix powders first in a small quantity of water then add to the rest of the water.
- Shake the spray pump well before spraying
- Do not premix and store any pesticides – use immediately
Warning: Pesticides can be poisonous – so please practice caution when using them. Keep out of reach of children and read the instructions carefully.
Black spot
COCKTAIL 1
(For 10 litres of water – highly recommended)
For powdery mildew, black spot, aphids, bollworm, stem borer, thrips and beetles.
Mix the following in 10 litres of water (10 litres of spray mixture is enough for approx. 90-100 roses)
- 50 ml LUDWIGS INSECT SPRAY+
- 12 ml CHRONOS,
- 12 ml LUDWIGS SPRAY STAY,
- optional extra 10 g Phostrogen as a foliar feed (25 g MultiFeed)
Thrip
COCKTAIL 2
(For 10 litres of water)
For black spot, downy mildew, aphids, bollworm, beetles, thrips & stem borer.
Mix the following in 10 litres of water (10 litres of spray mixture is enough for approx. 90-100 roses)
- 20 g DITHANE WG,
- 12 ml LUDWIGS SPRAY STAY,
- 10 ml GARDEN RIPCORD
- 20 ml FUNGINEX
Chafer beetles eating the blooms.
