Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
There are literally hundreds of combination
rose sprays and dusts on the market under brand
names, and it seems to me easier, and even
cheaper, considering the time saved, for home
gardeners to make use of them to control
blackspot and other rose diseases as well as
insects in one operation. You will have to deter-
mine by trial and error the best combination for
your area, and you may not find one that com-
bines remedies for all the pests you may have to
fight through the season. Choose one that con-
tains ingredients required every week all sum-
mer, and then add other chemicals if and when
necessary. Whatever mixture is chosen, coverage
should be complete on upper and lower leaf
surfaces, and applications must be repeated at
approximately weekly intervals. This may mean
every 5 or 6 days when plants are growing rapidly
in a rainy spring and perhaps every 7 to 9 days in
dry weather, when growth is slow. Intervals of
10 to 14 days between sprays seldom give
adequate control. Most directions call for appli-
cation ahead of rain so that the foliage will be
protected when spores germinate during the rain;
but if sprays are applied every 7 days, there will
always be enough residue left on the foliage to
give protection during the next rain. It is not
necessary to make an additional application
immediately after a rain if your spraying is on
a regular basis.
