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Rosarians Most Unwanted
 | | Aphids like to feed mainly on new growth. |
First, please excuse my references to captions and titles reserved for the misfits of our culture. I guess I have just been watching to many cop shows lately.
I have been very focused on Thrips this Spring but we must not forget that the time is here for other pest in the gardens. I am beginning to see a number of aphids on the plants that I am not spraying and I know that given the opportunity to eat new rose growth, they will. Malathion or carbyl (Sevin) are both very effective against Aphids. Catch them early and make two applications 10 days apart and watch for their return and repeat the cycle of spray, wait 10 days and spray again. |
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Spider Mites
 Along with the hot dry Summers of Oklahoma come spider mites. Though they are very tiny they can kill a Rose Bush if left to do their thing. Watch for signs of a spider mite invasion. The leaves on the bush will take on a funny color, a drab appearance. The underside of the leaf where the mites are will have a dirty look. If your eyes are real good you might see the mites moving. I use a 30X hand held microscope which we have available for purchase here at roses inc. for around $20.00. The mites will generally attack the lower leaves first so check for them on the leaves close to the ground and react quickly if you see signs they are present. I suggest Tetra San for use in controlling the Spider Mites. If you use it early before their numbers get high it is very effective. Be sure to mix in a surfactant for better results.
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 Cucumber Beetle Nope, she ain't no Lady Bug. She is a rose eater and can and will do a lot of damage if not controlled. Malathion wetable powder of dusting sulfur both are good choices to control these ravenous feeders. You will have no problem spotting them feeding on the blooms. |
 Japanese Beetle Yes, it is June and anytime now we will be invaded by this pest. Spinosad, the same spray recommend for Thrips will work on the beetles. Depending on where you are you may or may not see or have trouble with Japanese beetles in you rose garden. In all of the gardens I care for I only have a few that ever have a problem with them. Beetle traps work if used correctly and we have them in stock at the store. We will explain how to use them for the best control when you purchase the traps.
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 Rose Slug I have seen several bushes this Spring affected by Rose Slugs. You can see the slug by turning the leaf over and looking on its underside. Most of us do not recognize this little caterpillar as a rose slug. Slugs conjure up images of moist slimy shell less mollusk.
As you can tell from the photo above the Rose Slug can make your bush look un-sitely although I have never seen a case where they did irreparable harm to a rose bush. Again, Spinosad is a good choice to control Rose Slugs should you decide to treat for them.
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