ROSE DISEASES AND CURES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1046, 9 August 1930, Page 30

ROSE DISEASES AND CURES

Roses must have constant attention to give of their best: It is not sufficient to prune them and leave the rest to Nature. Established plants require bonemeal or one of the patent rose manures. This must be hoed into the surface and from now onwards the ground must be kept stirred constantly, to conserve moisture and provide a supply of oxygen. As soon as the young green shoots commence to unfold their leaves, they will in all probability be attacked by the rose maggot. Leaves which are attacked curl up and if these curled leaves are examined, they will be found to be sheltering maggots which feed on the leaves and destroy the flower buds in a very young state. One certain method of eradicating these pests is squeezing each curled leaf with finger and thumb. Spraying is not effective, for it is impossible to penetrate in the folds of the leaves which are attacked. Greenfly will be the next enemy to combat. Spray with Black Leaf 40, or a similar well-known made as soon as this enemy appears. Inspect the trees every week afterwards and spray if necessary. Later, rose mildew will probably make Its appearance, and dis-figure the leaves with numerous round white patches of fine white threads 'of mycelium. Leaves which are attacked, wither and die, and the plants consequently become unsightly and unhealthy by the ravages of this disease. Fortunately this rose disease can easily be kept in check or cured by spraying with sulphur, using Joz. in one gallon of water.