What to do if your aphids started on your favorite roses: flower growers' tips on saving a plant

Luxurious roses - the pride of any grower. But in order to preserve the beauty and health of a graceful flower, it is necessary to react promptly and correctly to diseases or the appearance of pests on the plant.

The rose can be affected by various parasites: spider mites, caterpillars, rosan shield, thrips. Let us tell you how to fight with chemical and folk remedies with one of the most common pests - aphids, found on almost all garden and household plants.

Insect species

Outdoors, rose bushes are affected by rosacea green aphids, appearing at the end of summer. This parasite has an oval green body and brown antennae. Body sizes from 0.3 mm. Clusters - young shoots and buds.

• House roses are more prone to invasions of white (room) aphids. These are translucent small insects up to 0.5 mm in size, which in a short time form a colony capable of completely covering a pot plant.
• Greenhouse roses can strike a powdery aphid. This species has an oval body with bristles on the side, covered with white bloom.

All types of the parasite are characterized by high activity and fecundity. More details about the different types of aphids can be found here.

Harm to flowers

Aphids feed on plant sap. In the affected plant, the leaves turn yellow and deform, the growth of the shoots slows down and then stops completely. A weakened plant does not tolerate temperature fluctuations, its resistance to diseases decreases.

Important! Aphids are not only harmful to the plant, draining it, but also a carrier of viruses.

You can learn more about what aphids eat here.

How does it appear on indoor and garden plants?

The following are listed common variants of the appearance of the pest:

• Transplant plants into the affected soil.
• Purchase of an infected shrub.
• A large number of ants on the site. These insects feed on the liquid expelled by the aphids; therefore, the ants protect the aphids and can transfer the parasite larvae from one plant to another (for more information on the symbiosis of ants and aphids, see here).
• The lack of insects and birds feeding on aphids.
• The pest can get on room roses from clothes, also pets can bring it to the house.

How to get rid?

Among the various ways of dealing with aphids on roses, there are several groups.

Mechanical methods

1. If the plant louse only appeared on the plants, then insects can be removed by sliding their fingers in the direction of plant growth along the stems. You must first wear gloves on your hands. This method is not very effective for extensive lesions of plants.
2. For small clusters of aphids, you can use jets of water to wash the parasite from the bushes. In this case, you must act very carefully so as not to damage the stems or buds.

Folk remedies

This group includes a variety of infusions and decoctions. Below are some recipes that are most often found in the recommendations of experienced gardeners. So, how can you spray a plant?

• Garlic infusion.
  1. It is necessary to peel and chop about 100 g of garlic cloves and pour them with cool water (about 3 liters).
  2. Insist at least 3 hours.
  3. Then strain, add 3 liters of clean water and mix.

  Spray garlic extract of roses can be once a week for 2-3 months.

• Potato infusion.
  1. Pour boiling water over crushed potato tops (0.5 liters of water - 5 liters of water).
  2. Insist at least 2 days.

  Strained infusion is used for spraying plants. In the finished infusion sometimes add 50-70 grams of rubbed soap. Between sprays should take a break a week.

• Soap solution.
  1. Laundry soap put in a bucket of water.
  2. Wait until completely dissolved.

  You can pre-grate soap grated. This solution can be treated with a rose at the first sign of aphids. It is necessary to spray the entire surface, and not just the affected places. You can also use a soap solution for washing the stems, leaves and buds.

More information about the most effective folk remedies to combat aphids can be found in this material.

Next, a visual video with another popular recipe for dealing with aphids on a rose:

Chemicals

To combat aphids can use insecticides purchased in specialized stores.

• Inta-vir effective against all types of aphids, is available in the form of tablets and water-soluble powder. It is necessary to spray the plants before flowering. Can be used both in the garden and at home.
• Fitoderm Included in the group of popular insectoacaricides for the treatment of indoor plants. Can also be used for outdoor plants. The drug is rapidly destroyed in water and soil, practically does not pollute the environment. Garden roses are sprayed before the flowering period, room roses - when aphids appear.
• Aktara - systemic insecticide, popular among gardeners. With a solution Aktar not only spray the bushes, but also water them. 20 hours after watering, Aqtar is distributed to leaf tissues. The drug is resistant to sunlight, effective in both dry and rainy weather. Protective action can last up to 2 months.

Before using chemical agents, it is worthwhile to assess the degree of danger of the insecticide for plants growing near roses, especially for vegetables and fruits. Also do not forget that after chemical treatment, rose petals can not be used for cosmetic purposes or cooking recipes. Any use of a specialized chemical agent must be carried out in strict accordance with the instructions for use.

Attention! Chemical treatment with any drug can only be done with gloves. During the processing should not drink or eat. Immediately after treatment, you should wash your hands and face with soap and water.

Biological methods

1. Use other plants to prevent the spread of aphids. On the open ground, you can alternate rose bushes with marigolds, peppermint, cilantro, basil. At home, the pots with roses alternate with pots in which plants are planted that are less susceptible to tla.
2. Aphids have natural enemies. For example, do not get rid of ladybugs that feed on aphids. Near the rose bushes can be placed trough to attract tits and sparrows, which also help to destroy the pest (for more information about who eats aphids can be found in this material, as well as more detailed ladybirds here).

How to process the Chinese variety?

The Chinese rose (hibiscus) is distinguished by a variety of species, and the rather simple care and endurance of the flower made it popular among gardeners. But, like all roses, hibiscus is not protected from the invasion of aphids.

To get rid of aphids on the Chinese rose, you can use the methods of pest control described above. In the case of small lesions, it will be enough to treat the plant with a soap solution. If the affected area is large, then chemicals can be used (Aktara, Inta-Vir) in accordance with the instructions for use.

What to do for prevention?

In addition to alternating rose bushes with other plants for the prevention of the spread of aphids, it is worth using other preventive measures.

1. Compliance with the temperature and water regimes in the care of roses contributes to the formation of a strong bush that will withstand the aphid invasion.
2. When buying seedlings should carefully inspect the root system and shoots. You should not buy bushes with traces of damage to the roots or stems.
3. Roses must be timely cut, removing damaged or weak shoots, dry leaves and wilted buds.
4. Do not plant roses near viburnum, linden or plum, these plants are often affected by aphids and will serve as permanent sources of the disease.
5. Timely measures to prevent the accumulation of ants in the area are also good prevention of infection by aphids.
6. It is necessary to carefully examine the plants and flower bouquets brought into the house for the presence of a parasite.

Conclusion

Protecting a beautiful rose from aphids should include preventive measures. In case of infection by aphids, mechanical, chemical and folk methods of pest control can be used. Careful care and prompt response to the appearance of parasites will avoid major problems associated with plant diseases.