Donna, I spread oak mulch close to the base of all my roses and I do simply spray Messenger from the top to the bottom of each plant. Not sure what you mean by using a "spreader ticker". Can you explain more?
-terry

I have mulch right up to the roses. It's kind of impossible to keep it out of contact because I garden on a hill so the mulch moves when it rains, and I have two dogs who run through the mulch so they move it all over. I don't think it hurts anything. I do have problems with canker in the spring, but that is on even the roses in the front which don't have the huge amount of mulch around them.

Terry. I use indicate 5. It's suppose to help what I spray stay where I spray instead of just running off the leaves. Hope this helps. Also it's supposed to get the ph right I guess. Donna

Indicate5 is a pH balancer with some sticker properties.

Terry, a "spreader/sticker" is a product that is used to help in applying pesticides. Some fungicides, like Banner Maxx and mancozeb, need to have some agent to help the product stay on the leaves which helps the product to be more effective. Other fungicides include ingredients that serve the purpose of a spreader/sticker. Many people use dish soap as a sticker, but there are products that can be purchased.

Eden Bioscience doesn't indicate if a spreader/sticker is needed for Messenger. They were originally very careful about any mixing of other products with Messenger, so I don't think it is needed.