Roses and Aphids

Now that your roses are coming back from winter, and even getting close to blooming, you've probably noticed something else coming back too. Aphids. They've actually been back for a few weeks now and some of our plants are probably showing the damage. So what can you do about these little pests?

There are several things you can do. First, fertilize them! Aphids are actually less likely to attack healthy plants. You can find a good fertilizer without buying the most expensive kind. You can buy the expensive fertilizer labeled "Rose Fertilizer," or you can look at the content's analysis, how much N-P-K (Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium), is in it and buy something comparable for a lot less. Another easy way to fertilize is to use a time-release fertilizer. Again, you don't need the most expensive kind just because it's labeled "Rose Fertilizer," just get the same thing for less.

Another way to control aphids is to use insecticidal soap. While it doesn't kill 100% of the aphids, it will effectively control their population and insecticidal soap is great because it does not harm beneficial insects.

There are also things you should probably avoid. Insecticides while effective, can also be very damaging because they kill the beneficial insects too. Beneficial insects like ladybugs. If you're thinking it doesn't matter too much if a few ladybugs die as long as you kill off the aphids, think about this. A ladybug will eat an average of 5000 insects in its lifetime. That's a lot of aphids. A lot more than an insecticide will probably get.

So, to battle those aphids and for healthy roses you need to fertilize and use insecticidal soap if the problem is getting out of control.

Hope you get the beautiful roses you want out of your garden! If you want help please leave a comment, email at gardengoddesses@hotmail.com, or call 801-885-3178.

Lara Cummings
Garden Goddesses
Life is a garden. Grow a good one.