Why Does My Rose Look Unhealthy?

Are the leaves wrinkled and discolored?

Have the leaves been skeletonized, buds and flowers damaged?

Are there any metallic-brown or metallic-green beetles on the roses?

Do the leaves and stems have black spots on them?

Do the leaves have a powdery white coating on them?

Do the flower buds fail to open?

Are there any small beetles present on the roses?

Are the leaves stippled with yellow, and the foliage is webbed?

Do the rose canes have discolored or dead areas?

Do the leaves have yellow-green mottling on them?

Are the flower buds and new shoots deformed or dead?

Are the shoot tips wilted, and leaves have large holes in them?

Have the shoot tips died back, and are the canes swollen or with small holes?

Are the leaves stippled with white?

Have the buds failed to open and turned brown?

Several kinds of aphids attack roses. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used only with severe infestations.

Skeletonized leaves and eaten flowers are caused by Japanese beetles (metallic-brown) or Rose chafers (metallic-green). Handpick adult beetles into a can of soapy water but make sure to wear gloves as Japanese beetles are blister beetles. Apply parasitic nematodes to the soil to limit beetle grub populations. Use pyrethrin powder as a last resort.

Rose sawfly, curled rose sawfly, and Bristly rose slug have sluglike larvae that skeletonize foliage. They are especially destructive early in the growing season. Spray leaves with insecticidal soap, or dust with pyrethrin to control severe infestations.

Black spots surrounded by yellow patches are caused by fungal disease - Black spot. Prune off and destroy all diseased leaves and clean up all fallen ones. If possible, avoid wetting the leaves when watering. For severe infections, the recommended control is weekly applications of sulfur.

Powdery mildew usually appears in damp places and causes white patches on leaves. Thin your plants to ensure good air circulation. Any affected leaves should be cut off and removed. For severe infections, the recommended control is weekly applications of sulfur.

Small beetles like Rose curculios or Rose leaf beetles often attack roses. They bore into flower buds, preventing them from opening. If there are only a few pests, remove and destroy infested buds. For severe infestations, spray leaves and buds with pyrethrin.

Thrips often cause problems to roses. Severely infested plant parts should be pruned off and destroyed. Control thrips by introducing lady beetles or lacewings. Insecticidal soap helps in severe infestations.

Spider mites often cause problems to roses. You can control spider mites by spraying plants thoroughly with water 2-3 times a day for several days. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin.

Several fungal cankers attack roses. Pruning off and destroying diseased canes is the best approach to this problem.

Mottling is caused by viral diseases. These diseases are incurable, so remove and destroy all infected plants. Control aphids and leafhoppers as they are likely to carry viruses.

The white larvae of tiny yellow-brown insect called Rose midges feed on flower buds and tender soft shoot growth causing the injured parts to turn brown and die. Cut off and destroy all infested buds to reduce future damage.

Leafcutter bees often cut oval holes in rose leaves. After damaging the leaves, these pests bore into canes to lay eggs. Control by pruning out the injured tips several inches below the damaged area. Seal the cut end of the cane with grafting wax or putty.

Rose stem girdler causes spiral swellings in the bark, Raspberry cane borer causes the tips to die back, and Rednecked cane borer and Flathead appletree borer burrow in the canes. Cut off and destroy all dead and dying wood.

Stippled foliage indicates leafhopper activity. Spraying with insecticidal soap will control them, repeat as necessary. It is important to control leafhoppers as they may carry viruses.

Fungal disease, Botrytis blight causes buds on roses to turn brown and die. Water plants so leaves can dry up before sunset. Infected plants should be removed. Spray weekly with sulfur to control the disease.

Bacterial disease Crawn gall causes wartlike swellings on rose roots, stems, and branches. If the plant is only slightly infected, prune out diseased growth. Destroy severely infected plants and avoid replanting roses in the same spot.