Although more and more resistant roses are being bred these days, these flowers remain quite susceptible to various pests and pathogens - this is mainly due to less suitable locations and unfavorable weather conditions (which the gardener can't do anything about). Powdery mildew occurs more frequently in warm summers and sooty mildew in wet summers, although even robust roses can become ill. There cannot be a rose that is absolutely resistant to all diseases, which is why compliance with the general conditions and maintaining the he alth of the plants are so important.
What natural remedies can I use to spray roses?
Natural remedies for spraying roses include horsetail tea, nettle manure and onion or garlic manure. These strengthen the plants, prevent diseases and combat pests without having to use chemical agents.
Protect and strengthen roses with natural remedies
If you want to protect your roses and strengthen their resistance or treat disease infestation, you don't have to resort to chemicals straight away. Organic plant strengtheners help prevent diseases and repel pests; At the same time, they act like additional fertilizer - not to mention the fact that you don't have to buy these products for a lot of money, but can easily make them yourself. If possible, spray these tonics when the sky is overcast so that the rose petals do not burn due to the lens effect caused by the droplets.
Field horsetail tea
The weeds that grow abundantly on the edges of paths and fields are full of minerals, trace elements and are also a valuable supplier of silica. You can buy ready-made field horsetail extract from specialist retailers, but you can also prepare it yourself using the following recipe:
- You need 100 grams of fresh or 15 grams of dried herb and a liter of water.
- Soak the field horsetail in water for 24 hours.
- Then cook the herb in the soaking water for half an hour and let the broth cool.
- Dilute the infusion with fresh water in a ratio of 1:4.
Stinging nettle manure
Stinging nettles are extremely he althy not only for roses, but also for humans - young nettle leaves taste very tasty, especially in salads. Nettles are rich in iron, nitrogen, phosphorus and various trace elements. You can prepare nettle manure as follows:
- You need one kilogram of fresh or 200 grams of dried nettles and 10 liters of water.
- Cut the nettles into small pieces
- and put them with the water in an earthenware or plastic container.
- Leave the mixture in a dark place for 10 to 14 days
- and stir daily.
- The unpleasant smell can be alleviated with a little stone dust.
- As soon as the manure no longer foams, fermentation is complete.
- Now dilute it with fresh water in a ratio of 1:10.
Nettle manure is best used for watering.
Onion or garlic manure
Allium plants such as garlic or onions help very well against fungal diseases due to their germicidal ingredients. You can prepare garlic or onion manure individually or mixed together.
Fast-acting sprays for emergencies
If pests or diseases are persistently affecting your roses, then a quick-acting remedy from a specialist retailer can help. There are now many biological products on the market, for example those based on neem oil, rapeseed oil or pyrethrum. If, on the other hand, it should be a chemical agent (especially against fungal diseases), then this is sprayed as a preventive measure early on when the leaves emerge and again before flowering begins. Don't always use the same product, but change the brand from time to time - this will prevent resistance.
Tip
Transplant your roses with different herbs such as lavender, sage, borage, marigolds, onions or marigolds. These repel pests and help keep the roses he althy.
