Rose Aphid Control

Green or pink soft-bodied insects about 1/8 inch in size which suck juices from rosebuds and stems causing damage.

What does it look like?
Roses will have clusters of the tiny insects on leaves, developing buds, and stems. Buds may be deformed or fail to open properly. A shiny, sticky substance called honeydew may be present on the leaves, and grow a black sooty mold causes the plants to look wet and dirty.

How does it manifest?
Rose aphids are extremely prolific, and although a rose plant can tolerate a small number of the insects they multiply rapidly during the growing season. The aphids suck the juices from rosebuds and stems which causes the damage along with the sticky honeydew substance produced by the aphids, as they cannot digest all the sugars in the plant sap. When this fluid drops on the leaves below, it often develops a black, sooty mold. Ants feed on the sticky honeydew and are often seen in great numbers where there is aphid infestation. Flower quality and quantity will be reduced when there is a large infestation.

What can you do about it?
When you notice clusters of aphids on your roses, spray them with a fungicide acephate, malathoin, pyrethrins or insecticidal soap. Repeat the treatment each time reinfestation occurs.


Source from:
PageWise, Inc.