How to Treat Black Spots on Roses

Every rose grower has dealt with a case of the Black Spot fungus at some point and time. Any rose grower will tell you that it's easy to catch, easy to spread and hard to get rid of. Black Spot is a fungus that is easily identified as yellowing of the leaves and small, round black circles on your rose bush leaves. Black Spot is very common especially in warm climates and can be spread with water and direct contact. Below you will find different ways to treat Black Spot on roses both organically and with chemicals.

Black Spot is spread among rose bushes by direct contact and by water. Simply watering your rose bushes can spread the disease if not done carefully. Since Black Spot is spread by water, simply watering the top of an infected plant can spread the disease further down the plant and into the main stalks. This can create an unsightly mess, not to mention, a sick plant. Always, water roses at the base of a plant. Never you a shower nozzle or sprinkler.

Prevention of Black Spot

The first step in treating Black Spot is to prevent it. Even though you already have it, you should always attempt to prevent further spreading of Black Spot as it can get out of control very fast. When working with plants that have Black Spot, you can easily spread it from one plant to the other. Always be sure to disinfect tools after using them on or near a rose bush with Black Spot. Simply pruning an infected bush and moving on to the next will easily spread it.

Containing Black Spot

Start by removing leaves and stems that currently have Black Spot. Avoid removing main branches, as they are the life of the plant and can be treated with a solution. Since it is easily spotted and can be contained to a few leaves then immediate treating the plant will usually not require a full cut back of the rose bush. Remember, cutting or excessive pruning during the active growing season such as spring and summer, can injure or stunt the growth of your beautiful rose bush. Simply remove leaves and stems in the manor of proper pruning.

Always, and I mean always, removed infected leaves and destroy them. Simply through them in a back yard pit and burn them or seal them tightly in a gallon bag and dispose of them. Never through them in a compost pile or out in the yard as they will continue to spread the Black Spot through out your yard and garden, making it much harder to treat and prevent.

Methods For Treating Black Spot

There are several methods for treating Black Spot. Among the most common are store bought products. Most of these products work very well and are usually $5-10. Most of them contain both a fungicide and a pesticide. This way you can treat Black Spot and other funguses while also preventing pests such as aphids and other insects. Most of them require and application ever 5-7 days until the Black Spot removed, and then every 2 weeks to prevent future reoccurrence. Always spray the plant and the soil near the plant.

There are also homemade organic solutions that work well in treating Black Spot on roses. Among the most common and beneficial are the Vinegar and Water, Milk and Water, Dish-Soap, and Baking Soda Solutions. I have used them all and have found them to be quite beneficial.

Vinegar and Water Black Spot Solution

Add 3 tables spoons of Apple Cider Vinegar to a gallon of water. Pour into a spray bottle and spray your roses evenly. Be sure to spray the tops and bottoms of the leaves, stems and canes. Also, spray the soil near the plant to kill any Black Spot fungus that may be lingering in the soil from previous dead leaves or water applications. Spray in the early morning once a week until the Black Spot is eliminated then spray every 2 weeks to prevent a future breakout of Black Spot. (Adding one table spoon of Molasses will help the application by helping the vinegar to stick to the leaves. It is not necessary but can be very helpful.)

Dish Soap Solution for Black Spot

Any old antibacterial dish soap will work fine. I use Ajax anti-bacterial because that is my household dish soap and it has worked wonders. Simply combine ½ cup anti-bacterial dish soap in a 2 liter bottle, mix well and use a spray bottle to apply to the rose bush. I usually just take the spray off of an old Windex bottle, rinse it out well, and connect it to the top of the 2 liter bottle. Label it and leave it in the green house (great way to recycle). Apply every 5-7 days until Black Spot is eliminated and then once every 2 weeks to prevent future breakouts.

Baking Soda Black Spot Treatment Solution

To treat Black Spot on roses, the baking soda solution also works very well. Simply combine, 4 tablespoons of baking soda, one tablespoon of Molasses and one gallon of water. Mix well and spray thoroughly on roses that have been infected with Black Spot. Reapply once a week until cured. Then apply every few weeks to prevent future reoccurrences.

Treating Black Spot isn't that hard if properly done. Using in of the above solutions will work if applied thoroughly and as often as once a week while treating and every 2 weeks to prevent Black Spot. It is always a good idea to spray all of your rose bushes and not just the ones that are showing signs of Black Spot. This will help to insure that the fungus has been cured fully instead of curing one plant just to find out that another rose had it and now you are dealing with it all over again trying to fight the same battle.