Definitely aphid carcasses. (Now aren't you glad you didn't blow hundreds of dollars to kill pests that aren't there.) At the suggestion of spider mites, my first thought was that it's still too cool. The only spider mites I've seen in May were in a garden with lots of large stones, full sunlight and next to a asphalt driveway that had just been reblacked. What I've done when I've had a rose that seemed to be spider mite buffet was dig the rose up (they've almost always been short roses genetically) and then pot it up, keep in in a raised area and treat with a water from a spray bottle. Then, once cured, back the ground. Predators are out there, but once you start killing, you wipe out the predators as well.

Duchesse, Now you've gotten me to learn more. I always thought/remembered wrongly that the Mrs. Wilson who was the de facto president after Wilson was incapacitated was the Mrs. Wilson to whom he was married when first elected. I remembered his first wife had died, but thought that was significantly before his election. So now we see a Georgia connection and even more of a reason for the Atlanta Constitution to use such 'Atlanta Constitution society column gushy words' in this piece. Searching the Atlanta Constitution for info on roses has led to some descriptions of social events (with rose decorations) that are so sugary as to induce near diabetic comas in the healthiest of us. Here is a link that might be useful: Her burial (and a cemetery to check for roses)

I remember seeing this post or one similar to it a few months ago, and I did a bit of research, but I think that the African Spider Plant is NOT the one that most of us have grown as house plants at some point, and I also think that the number of them that would have to be planted in/around/among the canes of the rose would be an impossible and improbable task. The facts are correct (thank you Henry), but the implementation isn't actually going to do any of us much good.... IF I remember correctly, and now (I know I should have done it before I started this post) I'm going to trot off and do that research again.... Susan

You can also use a natural diy spray. This will not hurt the spiders and its not harmful to you etc. Also it keeps bugs from coming in like roaches and also keeps ants at bay. You mix up in a spray bottle with water. Now the main ingredients are simple but you have to prepare in one of two ways. You can chop large into large pieces and put into a small boiler and and bring to a boil on the stove and if tho is the one chosen, make sure ti allow it to cool down before putting into the spray bottle. If there isn't enough to fill your bottle simply add water to the bottle. Now the other way is to take the ingredients and put them into a processor with a little water and puree it down. Take the bottle and fill with water and pour water into bowl and add the mix to it mixing well and pour it into bottle. The ingredients are 2 tbsps red cayenne pepper, a handful of dry bay leaves, half of a onion, and 1tbsp of garlic, after you get these processed or boiled down and into your bottle add 2 tsps if dawn dishwashing liquid. Make sure to shake the bottle real well before each use. You will have reapply it after it rains. This mix is not good for repelling those few things. If you plant a garden of veggies, tomatoes,etc. You can actually spray this mix onto you plants and even if they have veggies in the plant it is safe. This will not alter the taste in your veggies at all. It will not harm the plants either. You are not spraying the roots just the top from the ground up. Remember to rinse your veggies very well. This is actually safer than using 7 dust etc. As I mentioned earlier you will have to reapply after the rain and after watering your garden. Certain critters dont like the aroma of thus mix so it keeps them away to. I hope this helps. Enjoy!!!!