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I live in Littleton Colorado I have four Don Juan climbing roses. They have been growing for a year over an arbor. One of the Don Juan is sick. The lower leaves on a stem are turning yellow and then dropping off. Then the next stem begins the entire process too, working up to the ends of the plant. I have sprayed for afids, and also used a fungi spay. I have checked to see if it is waterlogging. The soil is not overly damp and looks okay. The other three are thriving and blooming with the same spray and treatment. What can I do Please help. Thank You!
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I am not familiar with your climate, but if you live in a dry climate, what you are describing sounds very much like a spider mite infestation. The only commercial spray that will do anything to kill the mites is a mitecide, but you really can control them with just washing the plants daily for about a week with water.
Just wash the undersides of the leaves very well and this interupts their reproduction cycle. It's a simple control and always works.... at least in my experience.
Smiles,
Lyn
helpmefind.com
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#2 of 5 posted
15 JUN 05 by
Wendy C
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Without seeing a picture of the damage it is difficult to diagnose problems. From what you are discribing it could be:
Spider mites, which can be difficult to get rid of. Look at the underside of the leaves. If there are little specs chances are good they are your culpit.
Though it has been rare in the past, Downey Mildew seems to be becoming more common, and it will defoliate a bush as you are experiencing. Look for a spray product with Captan in the ingredience and spray with that. And repeat in the fall then again in the Spring before the roses leaf out.
When Downey visited my garden I had a real time getting rid of it, because I had misdignosed it as Black Spot and Spider Mites. Quick action will save you from that.
Hope this helps
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Wendy,
Spider mites are pretty easy to get rid of if you interupt the reproduction cycle. If there is an infestation, washing the plant daily for a week will break the cycle. Then as regular maintenance, if the undersides of the leaves are washed at least once week, I have found I never have to deal with another infestation.
Of course, this whole procedure was a lot easier when I had fewer roses !
Smiles,
Lyn
helpmefind.com
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#4 of 5 posted
16 JUN 05 by
Wendy C
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I'm closing in on 200 bushes. Daily washing is an undertaking to say the least. smile
I rely on spray products for this reason, and some years they are more stubborn than others.
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Wendy,
I do understand. My grandmother used to "underprune" all of her roses to avoid spider mites. She made sure that none of her roses had any leaves within four inches of the soil. Of course, she also didn't have 200 roses.
The daily washing is only necessary if you have an infestation. After you have that under control, using a water wand and washing the underside of the leaves at least once a week keeps them from coming back. I have used this practice in my garden for years and have never had any spider mite problems. It's cheaper than spray .
Also, the success of various practices in our gardens always depends on the microclimates where the garden is located and within the garden itself.
Smiles,
Lyn
helpmefind.com
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