Black spot-- is there any hope?

MommaBee1228

i purchased 7 new David Austen climbers a few weeks ago, and the dealer had assured me they were healthy at the time, even though i noticed a few of the leaves looked funny and yellow. Well, now there is one that is completely riddled with black spot, and a few others seem to be showing some signs. I know how to treat it, but I am a bit perturbed and suspect the dealer knew they had been diseased last year. What I am wondering, is will they always have black spot? Or do I have a chance at fighting it off if I am diligent? Has anyone had any luck?

magnoliablossom

I don't personally have roses because I consider them to be high maintenance.

I see you are in NJ.  I'm in the Houston area and because it is so humid here, we put fungicide on roses, depending on the brand, once a week or every other week.  If it has been wet or humid up there, I imagine you need to start doing it on a regular basis. 

GL!

ETA:  Definitely cut off all areas that have black spot and start your treatment schedule.  I don't think your plant is doomed, but I would assume that is needs treatment as a preventative from now on. 

MMP

I love this stuff.  It will get rid of disease/insects, and fertilize at the same time.  Pour some in a bucket of water and water into the roots.

http://bayeradvanced.com/rose-flower-care/products/all-in-one-rose-flower-care

 

MommaBee1228

Great tip, but one question to follow-- can I over fertilize? I used some black manure compost in each hole when I planted, and then I did a miracle grow rose treatment when I first planted to help them take. Is it possible to overfertilize them if I use another product too? It seems like an easy enough strategy, do you dump buckets frequently? Also, i have been using a baking soda homemade spray the last few days because I have a 2 year old and I am waiting for an organic fungicide to arrive. Will I still need it if I do a dump regularly?

MommaBee1228

Where are my manners. thank you BOTH for your feedback and advice. i am looking forward to spending a lot of time out there with my daughter, I am so excited to have this project to share with her this year.

alliapistor

I had the beginnings of black spot on one of my rose bushes last year.  I treated with a fungicide (can't remember the name).  I also pruned the bush heavily removing any parts that appeared diseased.  I *think* it is gone.

~NB~

magnoliablossom:

I don't personally have roses because I consider them to be high maintenance.

I see you are in NJ.  I'm in the Houston area and because it is so humid here, we put fungicide on roses, depending on the brand, once a week or every other week.  If it has been wet or humid up there, I imagine you need to start doing it on a regular basis. 

GL!

ETA:  Definitely cut off all areas that have black spot and start your treatment schedule.  I don't think your plant is doomed, but I would assume that is needs treatment as a preventative from now on. 

AMEN. You have entered the "high maintenance" zone.

You may as well get used to spraying fungicide. Pruning will remove some infections, but it will also SPREAD infection unless you sterilize your pruners between every cut. Yes, that means wiping down or dipping the blades with antiseptic as you go.

MommaBee1228

Thanks for the tip. I don't mind the extra effort, I just need to know what the extra effort is! I didn't realize the older varieties were less hardy, but that doesn't mean that now that they are in I don't want them. I am really looking forward to the daily project, I am unable to have another baby right now, so its taking my mind off that and giving my daughter and I a fun project to focus on. We planted a whole perrenial garden, so its going to be a lot of work and learning about how things take in our soil here.