Climbing roses are most often hardier than their rose bush counterparts, but unfortunately they are not totally immune to the more common rose diseases and insect pests. If you want your gorgeous climbers to provide you with glorious blooms then you have to manage the diseases and pests that occur on these plants. However, traditional toxic pesticides have harmful impacts on the natural environment and on your health. Here are a few guidelines for controlling the more common pests which affect climbing roses in a more environmentally friendly manner.
Black spot, whilst less virulent on climbing roses than shrub roses, still occurs and needs to be managed. Traditionally, the garden fungicide known as Bordeaux mixture has been used to effectively control this fungal disease. However, Bordeaux mix has a copper base that is known to impact bees and has long term negative impact on soils. An organic solution is a much healthier one and there are numerous organic fungicides available on the market.
Alternatively, using the following home-made rose fungicide will also deter the fungus from even starting on your roses. Dissolve 1 rounded tablespoon of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) in 4.5 litres of water. Add 21/2 tablespoons of Pest Oil. Stir the mixture well and spray weekly on roses to prevent black spot and mildew.
You can control mildew using similar remedies as for black spot. However, to limit the opportunity for these funguses to affect your climbing rose you should plant it in a sunny location with plenty of ventilation. Mildew thrives in shady, tightly enclosed gardens with little circulation between plants and prevention is always better than cure.
The buds and flowers of climbing roses are likely to be eaten by rose-bugs, Japanese beetles, and other pests, and the foliage also appeals to the appetites of slugs, worms, and larva of numerous voracious insects. Typically, gardeners would use poison to control these pests, but if you want to pursue a more natural, environmentally responsible alternative, then try using Neem Oil. You can physically remove as many of the pests as you can (throw them in boiling, salty water to quickly kill them) and then spray Neem Oil on the remainder.
Aphids look like little green lice and collect in huge numbers at the tips of growing shoots. These little bugs suck the juice from the plant. They can be effectively killed by with insecticidal soap, which is also safer than most pesticides, non-toxic to animals and leaves no residue. It is thus a more responsible alternative to traditional poisons. Insecticidal soap is sodium or potassium salts combined with fatty acids. It is only effective when it comes in direct contact with the insect and works when the fatty acids in the soap penetrate the insect’s outer covering and cause the cells to collapse.
No matter what you use to spray or dust your plants with, you must do it very thoroughly and ensure that all insects are covered and the plant is thoroughly enveloped.
Wishing you a healthy, happy, garden filled with glorious blooms.
