Question
Hello Lynnette,

I have bought a pot of roses recently. There are 4 of them, and there are 6 tiny flowers.

I did put the pot in sunshine as often as possible, and I water it once a week, but I found soon there are white mold-like things on rose pedals, leaves, and the surface of pot. I am not sure if it is a kind of disease. I cut down two infected flowers and some leaves to stop the mold from expanding, but soon, other flowers and leaves have these things on them.

Thanks a lot!

Qian  

Answer
If days are warm and nights are cold, then a fungus called mildew will start on plant leaves.  The spores are always there but climatic conditions as I have described seem to activate the spores into growing. When they have finished growing you can see the white mould spots. You could try using 1 tablespoon of baking soda to 1 quart of water and spray them until there are no more white spots. If that doesn't work then you will have to get a rose spray that is for rose mildew. Just follow the directions on the package and it should cure it. If the pot has mould on it, then gently lift the rose out of the pot and then wash the pot with bleach and water and place the rose back in the pot again. Mould can be difficult at this time of year to get rid of because the growing conditions are perfect.