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Daily Mirror
24-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Roses will never have 'killer disease' if you do 1 simple task this month
Black spot is a common fungal disease that affects roses, but one gardener has shared a simple tip to stop the disease from spreading to your plants - and it's all to do with mulch Rose enthusiasts, beware: black spot is the arch-nemesis of your beloved blooms – a dastardly fungal disease that can wreak havoc on roses. Once it takes hold in your garden, battling black spot becomes a formidable challenge. The tell tale signs are hard to miss – unsightly spots up to half an inch across, mainly on the upper side of leaves. As the infestation worsens, leaves turn yellow and fall off too soon, starting from the lower branches and moving upwards. In time, the whole plant might lose its leaves, and even the stems can get infected. While black spot might not finish off your roses in the first couple of years, if left unchecked, it weakens them, leaving them vulnerable to other deadly diseases. Kelly Lynch, exasperated by the relentless attack of black spot on her roses, sought wisdom from fellow gardeners on the David Austen Roses Facebook group. She posted: "Does anyone have any advice for black spot? I've tried removing all the infected leaves and don't overwater, but no matter what I do, most of my roses end up with it." In response, many rose lovers in the group suggested mulching as a saviour, particularly given the UK's recent spells of both wet and dry weather in July, reports the Express. Ruth Hall shared her success story: "It seems to have helped that I planted my Intrigue rose (prone to black spot) in a bed that has a surface of mulch on top. No moisture on the surface. That seems to help prevent black spot." Julie Graig advised on plant care, stating: "Don't spray. Mulch can protect and nurture the fungal spores. Remove it, clean the area, and snip any infection." She continued: "Water gently in the early morning or late evening. Keep the area well ventilated, not overgrown." In response, Anna Elizabeth shared her own gardening practice: "I try to mulch around the plant, but keep it away from the bud union and not water too much." Mulching is a boon for roses, offering them nutritional support, weed control, and moisture conservation. It's especially beneficial for roses plagued by black spot as it stops soil spores from splashing onto new growth. A variety of materials can serve as effective mulch, including top-notch garden compost, composted straw or bark, or aged manure sourced from local farms. However, a word of caution when using manure: ensure it's at least two years old to prevent root damage, as fresh manure can be too harsh. The mulch should be applied as far out as the rose's canopy extends, but kept clear of the stem itself.
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Prevent black spot on roses with this essential July gardening task recommended by experts
There is a simple task you can do in July to help prevent black spot disease from ruining your beautiful flowers. If there were a nemesis for rose enthusiasts, it would undoubtedly be the ominous black spot - a formidable fungal disease looming over rose bushes. The battle against black spot is a challenging one. Once this disease takes hold of garden roses, halting its spread becomes an arduous task. Characterised by its namesake, black spot manifests as irregular spots no larger than half an inch across. These appear predominantly on the upper leaves of the plant. If the infection exacerbates, the foliage turns yellow and begins to shed prematurely, typically affecting the lower leaves first before moving up the plant. Eventually, if uncontrolled, the entire bush could lose its leaves, with the possibility of the canes also becoming compromised. Although black spot might not immediately kill your plants within a year or two, it weakens them significantly, laying them open to other fatal diseases. Kelly Lynch, exasperated with her roses constantly succumbing to black spot, sought wisdom on the David Austen Roses Facebook group, reports the Express. Her plea was: "Does anyone have any advice for black spot? I've tried removing all the infected leaves and don't overwater, but no matter what I do, most of my roses end up with it." A prevalent suggestion amongst the community members was the strategy of mulching, particularly beneficial in fluctuating wet and dry conditions such as those experienced in the UK this past July. An example of success came from Ruth Hall, who remarked: "It seems to have helped that I planted my Intrigue rose (prone to black spot) in a bed that has a surface of mulch on top. No moisture on the surface. "That seems to help prevent black spot." Julie Graig advised: "Don't spray. Mulch can protect and nurture the fungal spores. Remove it, clean the area, and snip any infection. Water gently in the early morning or late evening. Keep the area well ventilated, not overgrown." Anna Elizabeth offered her gardening method: "I try to mulch around the plant, but keep it away from the bud union and not water too much." Mulching is beneficial for roses as it enhances nutrition, suppresses weeds, and assists in moisture retention, particularly advantageous for roses prone to black spot disease. The protective layer hinders soil-borne spores from reaching new growth via rain splashes. Various materials can serve as effective mulches, including high-quality garden compost, composted straw or bark, or well-decomposed manure obtained from a local farm. It's important to note that if you are employing manure, ensure it has aged for at least two years; freshly applied manure could harm your roses' roots. The mulch should be distributed across the expanse of the rose's canopy and kept clear from touching the rose's stem directly. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
