Roses across the country may be battling rust disease as the humid weather encourages the disease to spread
If you do not treat rose rust, it will weaken the plant which will cause it to wilt(Image: Getty)
Many gardeners are enjoying the warm weather, but it’s vital to keep an eye on roses, as the humid conditions can foster the spread of diseases such which can leave them looking less than perfect.. Rust is a fungal infection exclusive to roses that spreads when water lingers on the leaves for an extended period, appearing as orange blisters creeping up the plant.
The frustration with rust lies in its ability to impede a rose’s photosynthesis, weakening the plant and hindering its growth. This results in a stunted rose bush that fails to produce flowers and eventually withers away. And while it’s essential for gardeners to be aware of the damaging disease, there is no cause for alarm, as rust can be relatively easy to treat if caught early enough.
In May, rust typically begins to spread, so regularly inspect your roses, as it often appears on the lower leaves. It may resemble orange or yellow spots on leaves that will eventually spread up the plant if left unattended, reports the Express.
According to the gardening experts at Jackson and Perkins, it is crucial to immediately remove infected leaves upon spotting them. They advise: “Being very careful not to touch unaffected rose plants while pruning out infected plant material, dispose of the pruned material immediately.
“If it is allowed in your area, burning the pruned material is the most effective way of disposing of it.
“Do NOT put this material in your compost pile and do not dispose of it in the woods.”
Rose rust first appears as orange or yellow spots on leaves(Image: Getty)
A simple way to prevent and treat rose rust is with neem oil(Image: Getty)
Rust spores can linger on leaves, releasing in spring, so it’s essential to clear infected foliage from your garden.
Dispose of it to reduce the risk of the troublesome disease spreading.
After cutting back the infection, apply a fungicide every 7-10 days, matching the life cycle of rust spores.
Treatments are available at local garden centres, but neem oil offers a natural alternative for combating rust.
An expert explained: “Many home gardeners turn to neem oil as a treatment for infestations of mites, fungus and other plant diseases.
“Neem oil is distilled from the seeds of the neem tree and is a naturally occurring fungicide and pesticide.
Used for hundreds of years as a treatment for agricultural issues, neem oil tends to have a sulfurous and garlicky smell.”
Neem oil is most effective in the early stages of rose rust and can also be used as a fungal suppressant to prevent the disease from taking hold.
It provides a chemical-free way to treat roses without harming animals.
But gardeners are being urged to be cautious when using it in hot, dry weather -above 25C, as improper use can cause leaf burn.