What is eating my roses and what to do next pls?

14 years ago

The tips of new rose leaves and the top of the canes are shriveling. This is only happening at the very top of new growth.

We have had a LOT of rain.

On the underside of the leaves I noticed a couple of small green caterpillers - maybe a 1/2 cm long. Are they the culprits?

What should I do next - I would rather not spray. If I prune the top of the canes will I get new growth?

Thank you.

Comments (4)

michaelg
14 years ago
The worms are probably rose slugs. Wipe them off when you see small holes or translucent windows in the leaves.

They would not cause shriveling. This could be a stem borer such as Rose Stem Sawfly in the upper cane. These lay eggs in the new growth, causing wilting, and the worm tunnels down the cane as it grows. You can squeeze the stem to see if it is hollow; if so, find the worm and kill it.
vettin
Original Author
14 years ago
Thank you Michael. I did find the rose slugs - and they have had a feast.

I did take a few photos of the wilted canes - posted on the link below. The stems do not seem to be hollow. Still think it is Stem Sawfly pls? I am going to prune below the wilt and hope that takes care of it.

A different rose has gotten a fuzzy white something on it - last photo linked. No wilt so I guess this is something else. It is close to an azalea that I just found has leaf gall. Any idea what this is pls?

Here is a link that might be useful: New growth wilting
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Small green worms are in our central oh garden; neem oil would probably get rid of them, but that's too much trouble. Can't be jap beetles: way too early.
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The folks on the adenium forum agree that something is munching on the plant whether I can see it or not. Neem oil was recommended. I'm glad to have a specific recommendation because I am never sure which plant can withstand what treatment. It was also suggested that if Neem doesn't work, prune. Pruning has been my plan after the blooming stops, but this one may not make it to bloom this year. Thanks for your opinion. Whatever it is, it is small. I'm watching the other DR for signs of trouble. They sit next to each other.
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Katydid’s and grasshoppers will do that type of damage. When Japanese beetles feed they skeletonize (sp) the leaf leaving the veins untouched. You also have at least a couple of spots that resemble leaf cutter bees. The only idea that I can think of is netting. I’ve never had that much damage to one rose. Sometimes when a lot of insects are going after the same plant maybe protecting it is all you can do. I just don’t know. Anyway the damage will probably stop before they kill the poor thing. On the right hand side of your photo there are 2 dead canes that are coming from a single cane. Your rose will be better off if you prune away that dead growth.
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york_rose
14 years ago
I don't know what's causing the stem tip browning, but its proximity to the azalea leaf gall is a coincidence. Azalea leaf gall is caused by a fungus that doesn't infect roses.
michaelg
14 years ago
I don't have a browser for Shutterfly, but when you prune, see if there is a brown dot in the cross-section of the pith. This would be the track of a tiny worm that is moving downward.

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What is eating my roses and what to do next pls?

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michaelg

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What is eating my roses and what to do next pls?

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