Organic Fungal Treatments For Your Rose Garden
Fungal diseases are a major cause of concern in any rose garden. Treating and preventing fungal infestation organically can provide a responsible, environmentally friendly way to help your roses reach their maximum potential.
There are several types of fungal diseases that can affect your rose garden. However, many consumers are rejecting chemical solutions to gardening challenges and opting for more common sense and organic solutions. The natural treatments for many types of fungus common to rose gardens are presented below.
Botrytis Blight, more commonly referred to as gray mold, is very common in almost every rose garden. This type of mold forms on buds and old blooms. Rather than trying a chemical solution, just remove the affected areas by snipping them off. If you compost, don't use these clippings.
Several other common rose diseases can be cured by removing the diseased area. Small yellow or red spots are usually a sign of canker. These spots will eventually turn brown and cause the cane to die. Removing the affected area will keep the canker from spreading. A tumor-like growth on the crown, stem or root of the plant is a sign of crown gall, a bacterial infection. Removing the tumor is essential, but disinfecting your shears after pruning is necessary to keep the bacteria from spreading to healthy plants.
Generally, any spot on your rose bush is a sign of fungal infection. You can create an organic spray for fungus that will prevent and treat the infection by mixing about a tablespoon each of baking soda and horticultural oil in a quart of water. Avoiding very hot or very sunny days, spray your rose plants with this mixture, starting at the bottom of the plant and working upwards. Spray the stems and both sides of the leaves liberally. This mixture will cling to the foliage and discourage the growth of fungus.
Of course, keeping your roses dry is an important step in limiting fungus infestations. Placing a thick layer of mulch around your plants will protect them from water splashing up onto the plants, limiting the fungus spores that roses are so susceptible.
Indoor plants are particularly prone to powdery mildew. Powdery mildew can be treated organically as well, by increasing air circulation around the plant and treating with a spray made of three parts water and one part mouthwash containing alcohol. Spray the plants daily for best results.
Maintaining your indoor plants or outdoor rose garden need not require toxic chemicals. A little common sense and a few common, household ingredients will help keep your rose plants free from fungal infections.