"I thought what an interesting case I
must be from a medical point of view, what an acquisition I
should be to a class! Students would have no need to
“walk the hospitals,” if they had me. I was a
hospital in myself. All they need do would be to walk round
me, and, after that, take their diploma."
So said Jerome K. Jerome in 'Three Men in a Boat'.
So says my Edward rose today.
It's that time of the year, when finally finally my garden is waking up and thriving. And that includes the various fungi, bugs, and bacteria that also call the garden home. As always, none are worse hit than my venerable Edward rose bushes which manage to attract every disease, pest, and affliction around. Here is what is presently affecting just one of them, in alphabetical order.
1. Aphids. I have been spraying with my soap solution, but they just laugh. Will now make a garlic-chile mixture, but that takes a week to mature.
2. Black spot. I spray with a bordeaux mixture every winter. Should I do it again? Does cinnamon powder work? Help! Right now, am just taking off the leaves and burning them (as much as possible, I don't get them all)
3. Canker. I don't know what to do about this, other than cut off the stems and burn.
4. Caterpillar.
In the photo above, do you see the smaller droppings on the leaves in the background? That's yet another being.
5. Mildew
Does anyone recognise this?
Why grow the Edward Rose at all? Why not just replace it with other cultivars that are just as fragrant, have better colours and are disease resistant? Why not, even, treat myself to 'Claire Austin' or 'Jude the Obscure' both of whom I have been lusting after? Because classic fragrance and childhood memories.
Do go on to The Propagator's blog for other Six on Saturday posts. They are far less dismal- we even have flowers!
So said Jerome K. Jerome in 'Three Men in a Boat'.
So says my Edward rose today.
It's that time of the year, when finally finally my garden is waking up and thriving. And that includes the various fungi, bugs, and bacteria that also call the garden home. As always, none are worse hit than my venerable Edward rose bushes which manage to attract every disease, pest, and affliction around. Here is what is presently affecting just one of them, in alphabetical order.
1. Aphids. I have been spraying with my soap solution, but they just laugh. Will now make a garlic-chile mixture, but that takes a week to mature.
2. Black spot. I spray with a bordeaux mixture every winter. Should I do it again? Does cinnamon powder work? Help! Right now, am just taking off the leaves and burning them (as much as possible, I don't get them all)
 |
| See the white stuff on the tips of the leaves? that's from the dust storm, hasn't been washed off yet. |
3. Canker. I don't know what to do about this, other than cut off the stems and burn.
 |
| caterpillar meal |
He leaves me hostess gifts in exchange for the fine meals he's getting. But I have not found him yet.
 | |
| caterpillar gift |
5. Mildew
6. Whosthisguy. I have no idea. Remember the little droppings in the caterpillar evidence shot? They are from this
And in the interest of Science, here's a comparison:
Do go on to The Propagator's blog for other Six on Saturday posts. They are far less dismal- we even have flowers!
11 comments:
Oh you poor thing! I’ve had my fair share of aphids this year and I bought ladybird larvae online (I know, bonkers right?) but it worked! It may be a little late in the season but I would definately recommend that. As for your diseases, I can’t help I’m afraid. I did have rust in my Hollyhocks a few years ago and had to take all of them out and I burnt them. I’m trying again this year and so far, so good. Good luck!
Oh dear! I can't very well give your post a like!! I can sympathise with the blackfly and the black spot but don't recognise any of the others. Good luck with your modes of attack!
It is interesting that we always feel we have to get rid of these pests and diseases. Sometimes I wonder whether we shouldn't just live with them, but then maybe they would take over.
Whosthisguy is a weevil of some description. I find if I squash most of the aphids in an outbreak, then wait a while, natural predators, Aphidius usually, a parasitic wasp, move in and get them under control. I doubt whether soap or garlic are selective, they probably kill the predators as well; the aphids breed faster and bounce back.
I am totally ignorant of diseases & bug IDs but this year when it comes to aphids, I'm actually wiping them off when I water. Don't get them all, but greatly reduce the population & they don't seem to recover from that. For the moment, at any rate.
Not bonkers re the larvae! I would if I could. Instead, I rely on a few sacrificial trap plants..and a few inadvertent sacrifices.
Thank you..
I don't try to entirely exterminate anything and am happy with the odd resident on my plants. But all this is affecting the health of a much loved rose
Hmmm..Thank you for letting me know. I believed that the soap was selective. Now will try squirting them off with plain water. I find squishing them yucky. Even with gloves!
That's what Jim said too. Will try that.
Perhaps Edward is taking one for the team! He is suffering won't be rest don't have to. It's a noble sacrifice.
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