My Mlle Kruger is badly affected by thrips. Ruined most of the flush, but I do see signs of the thrips diminishing overall. So wait and see if the next flush is better. This year wasn't as bad as the last two and I think it's party because we had so much rain, the roses were very well hydrated and it lessened the thrip damage. But that is just my opinion. I just planted year old bands of Mr Tiller, Mrs BR Cant and DdB. I don't have any blooms yet, but looking forward to them. I love teas. If you want a tea that's not affected by thrips (or at least doesn't show it) try Marie d'Orleans. It's a beautiful cerise pointy flower and blooms constantly.

This has been the same discussion for over a decade on here. I have tried, rejected and retried items dozens of times. When you are surronded by hundreds of acres of woods (as most who live in rural maine are) spraying your little patch of yard isnt all that effective) I too for years did the soap can, but frankly after one weekend where my family and friends helped me pick over 10k JBs and I finally relized its impossible to really put a dent in them, Ive given up. There are members here that DO spray and they were pretty much forced away from the Forums at that time. Weve had some back and forth battles here, with sadly knowledge people have left becuase of it. There is nothing you can do except spray with heavily toxic substances every 2-3 days to keep a rose garden in bloom. I fail to see where putting cheesecloth down would help, you couldnt see anything under them! I choose not to spray (other then remove infastations early in the season (red asian beetles and rose slugs, pre flower forming invasive, and 1-2 applications is enough to knock them out) so I have forgone repeating roses. I think its the best choice all around. I still have a couple and every once in awhile will get a small fall rose flush. When I first started (more north from here and a decade and half ago) growing roses, the season wasnt as bad, you could basically pick the JBS off, but now, it is worse, I can tell, you cannot keep up on a rose garden without spraying, especially if you have roses in any numbers

I'm seeing the pointy raised bumps on the buds before the flowers open. Pretty clearly thrips damage to me, but I'm willing to entertain any other suggestions. I love her regardless, Ed. Once the flowers open, the raised nubs can't be seen, and, you're right Daniel, any white discoloration is invisible due to the flower color. I'm more curious than anything else - no phenomenal damage to the garden happening here. - Steve

Bumps on the buds and mishapen buds usually indicate thrips. I don't know what your white bugs are. Thrips are very tiny, black, and look like the top part of an exclamation mark. I have them really bad this year. I recommend using Bayer's All In One systemic - the liquid kind you poor on the soil - and spraying your buds every few days with Spinosad. I bought Spinosad online at Amazon. Hope this helps. I know how heartbreaking this can be. Debra