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Mid-Atlantic disease conditions

15 years ago

I have a no-spray garden in DC with lots of old roses and a few David Austin roses.

First of all, let me say that this has been the most glorious year of bloom I've ever had! My Zepherine Drohin just went through a week of such heavy blooms that they lined the branch cheek to jowl. My Mdme. Alfred Carrie is just about comparable and Sopies Rose, Rose d'Recht, Sombrueill, and Heritage are doing their best to match her performance. Absolutely glorious!

Here's my question -- I seem to be seeing more black spot than usual. Is anyone else experiencing this? I'm trying to figure out if spores are building up in my soil over a few years of having the roses in or if the weather has just been good for black spot. It's not at the point of defoliating the plants by a long, long ways. I'm just spending a lot more time picking off leaves than usual.

Thanks,

Sandy

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Comments (6)

olga_6b
15 years ago
Mid-atlantic area usually have a very high BS pressure. It is humid and temperatures are just right for BS spores germination on the surface of wet leaves. By my observations and talking with rose friends in this area, DC actually by some reason is better then MD, north VA or PA in terms of BS pressure. It is close to south VA in this aspect. Probably it is because DC being a city is at least half a zone (probably more) warmer then MD. BS spores will not germinate when temps are higher then certain point. I don't remember exactly the number, but somewhere around 75-78 deg, if I remember correctly. Leaves are almost always wet at night, so regions that have high humidity and 65-75 deg at night have the highest BS pressure. This is the reason why warmer places (TX, LA, etc)have worst time with BS in spring and fall. Southern Summers are just to hot for BS spores. This spring we have a lot of rain and leaves stay wet almost always day and night, temps are also just right.
Olga
cecily
15 years ago
Hi Sandy,
I'm in Prince William County, VA. I haven't had any BS yet this year and I also garden no spray. The aphids weren't particularly bad this year. My bane this spring is sawfly larvae; the rose foliage is lacy and I'm still picking off more larvae. Yuck.
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jbcarr
15 years ago
In Roanoke the leaves are very healthy. I agree, this is a good year for flowering on my roses.
sunnishine
15 years ago
In va beach the aphids are heavy. I agree this is a great year. I think it may be due to the rain and not very cold temps.

Can't comment on the BS since I spray but my SIL who lives near DC is having a problem too. I attribute it to the rain and temps.
rosesnpots
15 years ago
I am also in Va Beach and I had a little BS in the begining of the year and got it under control. I agree with sunnishine, the aphids have been heavy but since I recived my order of Good Health Roses and sprayed I have not seen aphids or even the hint of BS.
catsrose
15 years ago
Also in Roanoke, I'm just now seeeing BS and so far it has just hit the hybrid teas--most of the OGR are fine (touch wood!). I did do a preventive spray for BS just as buds were getting started, but am mostly no spray. Aphids weren't bad, but rose slugs have been active. And yes, the blooms have been incredible. MY ZD , too, has been glorious and Napoleon and Louis Phillipe are weighted down. I am going to have to stake them to keep their noses out of the dirt.

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