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Questions, Answers and Comments by Category
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Initial post
15 OCT 21 by
 ldmont
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I am new to growing roses seriously (or somewhat seriously) and I was having problems with rust and black spot in my Zone 9b garden. I tried spraying with neem seed oil, but that seemed to do harm as well as good. (Perhaps I over-sprayed.)
I then decided to make a tea of neem seed meal and mint compost (from Heirloom Roses). I put a handful of the mint compost and a smaller amount of neem seed meal in a 5 gallon bucket and filled it about 3/4s full. I let it sit for a little while to steep and then poured a small amount around the roots of my roses. (Each batch was enough for 6-8 roses.)
Since I started doing that my roses have become overall remarkably disease-free. (Fingers crossed). I have done it several times over the last 3 months and am going to keep doing so.
I wanted to pass this along as it may help others as well. I also hope that others on this forum will try this tea and let us know how it works for them.
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REPLY
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For interest: below is a recipe given to Heritage Roses in Australia by Frank Hogan in tropical Queensland.
"This spray I use on all plants; it controls back spot, mildew, rust, scale, caterpillars, and grasshoppers.
To a 5 litre sprayer; adjust ingredients to your requirements.
* 25ml canola oil
* 25ml dishwashing detergent
* emulsify until creamy smooth
2 tablespoons bicarbonate dissolved in a little hot water
1 cup whole cream milk
25ml seaweed extract
Combine all with running water; use within 24 hours or oil may separate.
Spray late afternoon.
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I might try that and see how it goes. Although it would probably need to be reapplied frequently.
The bicarbonate is a common ingredient is "organic fungicides" but it has two drawbacks. First, it is not a fungicide at all in that it does not actually kill fungus or spores. It will inhibit their growth by causing a high pH on the leaf surface, but the fungus will still be alive (just static). Second, it washes off easily, so any rain or heavy dew will inactivate the bicarbonate and the fungus will take off again.
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Reply
#3 of 4 posted
19 OCT 21 by
ldmont
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Thanks Margaret. That sounds quite impressive. But probably above my pay grade. :)
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Well, Frank was running a nursery (in Mackay), so he would have wanted to spray many roses. I guess you can downsize it!
There are at least two brands of seaweed extract used widely here to promote root growth. Probably some in the US too.
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