Written and edited by Tammy 25th April 2023
What is Black Spot, why does it happen and how do we treat it?
Black Spot
Quite simply, Black Spot is a highly infectious fungal disease that most roses will suffer at some stage.
As soon as the climatic conditions are favourable, there's enough moisture, humidity, and there's a lack of air circulation in the canopy of a plant, you have the perfect environment for fungal diseases such as black spot to take hold.
Like anything, prevention is better than cure. Try to keep your roses in optimum health.
Mulch around them to maintain moisture throughout the dryer months and feed them regularly with a quality rose fertiliser like Richgro Black Marvel or Neutrog Sudden Impact.
Give them a 'pick me up' with a health tonic like Seasol to keep them robust and powering on and, dead head them as each flush of flowers finishes.
Be vigilant for the first signs of disease or pest infestations and, treat them before they impact the health of the plant.
Watch the little video I've included to see how I treated my standard Icebergs today that have succumbed to a bout of black spot.
Admittedly, we're at the tail end of the growing season now in Autumn and my roses have (as always) put on the most amazing continuous display of blooms all Summer long.
Despite the black spot getting the better of them, the foliage was still a healthy, lush green colour indicating that they weren't malnourished or lacking in nutrition.
There was no sign of an insect infestations, I'd just been too preoccupied with life as we all get, and missed the window of opportunity to treat them when I should have. Don't be like me!
Happy Gardening!😘🪴
Leat we forget.
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