Common Problems of Roses

Rose insect pests are either sap-sucking or chewing. Sap-sucking pests of Roses include Aphids, Thrips, Mites, Whitefly, and Scales. Chewing pests of Roses include Caterpillars, Earwigs, Garden Weevil, Sawfly Larvae (Roseslug), and Snails and Slugs.

Although some pest activity can be tolerated, if pest numbers get out of control plants can weaken, become unsightly and in worse cases can cause plant death.

To help prevent Rose pests keep plants well watered and fed, and control weeds.

For the control of Aphids, Thrips, Caterpillars, Whitefly, Ants, Earwigs, Leafhoppers, Two-Spotted Mite, Scales, Mealybugs and Sooty Mould spray with Yates Nature's Way Citrus & Ornamental Spray - suitable for use in organic gardens.

Aphids are small sap-sucking pests that are usually found in big groups at the tips of the stems or on the underside of leaves.

They cause distorted leaves and wilted stems. Aphids are often seen with the disease Sooty Mould.

Thrips are very small, long and thin insects that are usually found on the underside of leaves alongside black blobs (poo).

Thrips cause speckled silvery or brown leaves, and twisted stems.

Whiteflies are small insect pests that usually fly up into the air when disturbed. They are found on the underside of leaves, usually in big groups and often found with the disease Sooty Mould.

They cause yellow leaves, and wilted stems, and are often seen with the disease Sooty Mould.

Scales can be hard or soft and are easily squished. The adults can be found motionless on stems, leaves, and the trunk. White Louse Scale is especially found on the trunk. Soft Scale are often seen with Sooty Mould.

They cause wilted stems, and lack of vigour in plants. 

During the growing stage treat Scales with Yates Nature's Way Citrus & Ornamental Spray, and during the dormant stage (winter) spray with Yates Lime Sulfur.

Mites are very small with some almost invisible to the naked eye. Like Spiders, they are not insects, they are arachnids. They are usually found on the underside of leaves and are sometimes associated with webbing.

They cause leaves to go speckled with yellow or brown. 

Two-Spotted Mites are common a Mite pest of Roses, and can be treated with Yates Lime Sulfur, or Yates Nature's Way Citrus & Ornamental Spray.

Spider Mites and Two-Spotted Mites on Roses can be treated with Yates Nature's Way Vegie & Herb Spray. 

Caterpillars are chewing pests that chew holes in leaves, flower buds, flowers, and fruits (Rose-hips).

Earwigs are very small, long and slender insects.

They chew very small holes in Rose flowers and young stems.

Sawfly Larvae look similar to Caterpillars and cause similar damage.

To treat, spray with Yates Advanced Garden Insect Killer.

Garden Weevils are small and brown and look similar to beetles except they have long noses.

They chew small holes in Rose leaves.

For small infestations, remove them by hand and squish underfoot. For larger infestations spray with Yates Advanced Garden Insect Killer.

Snails and Slugs are not insects, they are Molluscs. They are usually found on humid or wet days and can climb up onto Roses and chew on soft new growth and flowers.

To control, sprinkle and scatter Yates Snail & Slug Bait around the base of plants.

Possums are much larger than insect pests. They are usually found at night and sometimes feed on Rose leaves, flowers and especially fruits (Rose-hips).

A few leaves gone here and there is not a big issue, but if you can't tolerate the damage you can deter them with Yates Possum Repellent Spray.

Rats and Mice are rodents and while not common, it's not unheard of for them to eat Rose fruits.

You can repel them away from precious plants by applying Ratsak Repel - Rodent Repellent Gel.

Birds, especially Cockatoos, sometimes eat or pull off flowers and fruits.

To deter them you can try bird-predator-statues (e.g. Decoy Owls) and shiny objects (e.g. hanging CDs), but if these measures fail, netting will be a sure-fire way to stop birds destroying your plants.

Other animal pests of Roses include Deer, Lizards, and Rabbits.

Common diseases of Roses include Rose Black Spot, Sooty Mould, Rust, Powdery Mildew, Downy Mildew, Grey Mould, Rose Canker (Rose Dieback), Root Rot, and viruses such as Rose Mosaic Virus.

To reduce the risk of fungal infection, water around the base of the plant rather than over the foliage, water only in the morning, only water when the soil has started to dry out slightly, and treat at the first sign of the disease.

Sooty Mould is a fungal disease that is caused by certain sap-sucking pests such as Aphids, Scale, and Whitefly.

Find the pest that is causing the disease, treat the pest, then the disease will go away. You can treat Sooty Mould and a variety of sap-sucking pests with Yates Nature's Way Citrus & Ornamental Spray.

Rose Black Spot are fungal diseases that mostly attack Rose leaves. Leaves develop black irregular spots, and eventually yellow and drop.

To treat, spray with Yates Rose Gun or Yates Rose Shield Concentrate. 

Powdery Mildew is a fungal disease that coats the surface of leaves and stems with a white powdery.

To treat, spray with Yates Rose Gun or Yates Rose Shield Concentrate.

Rust is a fungal disease that is mostly found on leaves. Leaves develop small, orange and dusty raised spots.

To treat, spray with Yates Rose Gun or Yates Rose Shield Concentrate.

Downy Mildew is a fungal disease that mostly attacks Rose leaves and sometimes stems. The upper surface of leaves develop purple to brown irregular spots, and the underside can develop a grey and fuzzy growth.

To treat, spray with Yates Liquid Copper.

Grey Mould is a fungal disaese that is mostly seen on Rose petals, especially white and pink flowering Roses, as a spattering of pink dots. 

See How to Prevent Rose Diseases.

Rose Canker, or Rose Dieback, is a fungal disease that causes the stems and branches to die back from pruned ends. The disease is spread by pruning, rain and water splash.

To prevent Rose Diebvaack, always use sharp and clean pruning tools. If you are pruning a plant known to have Rose Canker, disinfect the secateurs in between each cut with a 9:1 mixture of water (9 parts) and bleach (1 part).

Keeping plants well-fed will help promote disease resistance and resiliency.

Root Rot diseases, including Phytophthora, can cause plants to wilt and die suddenly. Especially after periods of overwatering or heavy and prolonged rain.

To protect plants, spray with Yates Anti-Rot Phosacid Systemic Fungicide. 

There are many viruses of Roses, and unfortunately, there are no chemical controls to treat them. Symptoms are sometimes found in leaves as strange yellow markings on leaves.

Check there are no other signs or symptoms of pests and diseases, and if it is a viral disease, consider removing and destroying the plant.