I start spraying right off; sometimes before leaves start to show. I never seal my canes...I don't know if that is the correct way of doing it.

If the cane ends are hard & dry you don't need to seal them.

If the roses are likely to develop blackspot, you need to start spraying fungicide. Look for a fungicide that does NOT include pesticide. All fungicides aren't created equal, some are more effective than others. Most rosarians are getting good BS control using the Bayer Advanced product and its available at Lowe's/Home Depot.

Don't spray pesticide unless you have a serious infestation that can't be otherwise treated. Pesticide kills good bugs as well as bad, you're generally better off not using it.

I used Concern organic on my wild red rose bush and I didn't get any diseases. I need to check and see if it kills good bugs though. It's organic. Thanks so much for the quicky responses as my bushes are doing so well I need to know almost every day if what I am doing is correct!!Maybe I should just go with the Bayer..I've heard more about that than any and I know it's safe. I don't want to kill bees and butterflies for sure!! Again..thanks!!! I'll spray later in the day today!!

Cecily,
Fungicides are pesticides as are herbicides and all the other "cides." I take it you meant insecticides?

Yes.

On the other hand, you will never know how disease resistant your roses are unless you leave them be for a while. Most of my roses do not need spraying or just occasionally. There are only a half-dozen that need more regular spraying in the spring and perhaps a few times in the fall. During the hot months of July-Aug, I almost never need to spray any of them.

Of course, I go out of my way to find roses that are more disease-resistant--that is how I get by with minimal or no spray most of the time.

If you are going to use Bayer, read the labels carefully. Most of them are the "all in one" or "2 in one" etc. type--you do not want those. You want the Bayer Disease Control for Roses, Flowers, and SHrubs--it is a fungicide only. My Home Depot carries all the other Bayer products, but no longer has just disease control (fungicide only). Guess I'll have to order it online or something.

Good luck.

Kate

Absolutely, remember to water roses at least six hours before spraying and don't spray in the hottest part of the day. ~bb

Thanks! I will make sure that I get the right Bayer product..I have seen it online I think too.I may take your advice and wait awhile and keep checking them. I don't want to spray if I don't have to. I water in the early mornings so there's at least 6 hours...try not to water late in day unless they are looking a little stressed and then just water the roots.
Thanks ALL of you....each one has provided a great deal for me and I really appreciate it!! I learn every day!! My Crown Princess is starting to get some new growth...but..must say my Gertrude has really surprised me...she's just a full little bush now. The Don Juan and Scent from Above from J&P were just plated yesterday. They have nice canes and some new growth already.Hope some of these are disease resistant to some extent!! :))))

Before you use the Bayer Advanced product (since you expressed a desire not to harm bees) you might want to know that the NPTN fact sheet says:

". Imidacloprid is slightly toxic to fish and moderately toxic to aquatic invertebrates.
. IMIDACLOPRID IS HIGHLY TOXIC TO BEES, AND SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED TO VEGETATION WHEN BEES ARE FORAGING
. Imidacloprid has been found to be highly toxic to the house sparrow, moderately toxic to upland game birds, and slightly to not toxic to waterfowl. Imadacloprid APPEARS TO REPEL BIRDS when used as a seed treatment.
. Imidacloprid is moderately toxic to earthworms."

I should also note that "Advantage for Fleas" (also Imidacloprid) is contraindicated for use in pets who may be subject to seizure disorder, as it is a known trigger for seizures.
Therefore, if I had children or pets, I would chose to avoid Imidacloprid.
(You generally don't know they are subject to seizure disorder until something triggers that first seizure."

Jeri

You don't say where you are or what roses you have, but since almost nothing for which you are going to spray will kill your roses, why don't you wait and see how necessary it is to spray. Not all roses need or can even tolerate spraying. Also, it's okay to have less than perfect roses. A touch of black spot or a few rose slug leaves is better than soil full chemicals.

I had no idea that the spray would affect bees...and I love birds and have grandkids who are allergic to all sorts of things! Thank you for this info. I do believe that I will wait and see now...true...a few spots and less than perfect roses is better than these consequences. I've thought about getting rid of the fish even..I don't spray and use beer and such for slugs..which works pretty well. I've managed not to lose too many things around the pond as I have hostas and vinca mostly along with day lillies and black-eyed susans. These all tolerate heat well..the hostas are shaded most of the day. Live in Kentucky in zone 7..weather has been horribly hot but we are now in a cool down for a few days.
Waiting seems to be the best choice for no. Appreciate everyone's help. I've tried not to get the leaves of the roses wet and root water mostly..they seem to be holding up well in the heat.
BTW...I saw today a bug I've never seen. I was looking over my morning glories and I saw a shiny "gold" object. I promise it looked like a piece of jewelry. I picked it up and it was exactly like a lady bug only it had gold wings...do young lady bugs look like this?? I've never seen anything like it before! Friend or foe??

Jeri, the Bayer Advanced Disease Control doesn't contain any insecticides or Imidacloprid. It only has Tebucanazole. It's not completely harmless but it doesn't say anything in the MSDS about killing bees or other insects. I wouldn't spray it around a pond but otherwise it isn't that dangerous. I keep my dogs away when I spray, but I don't worry too much about it otherwise. I do get blackspot on several of my roses if I don't spray, and Peace blackspots even with spraying. I only spray every other week or even every three weeks.

Excuse me Athena, but the Bayer Advanced Disease Control label says that it is an insecticide and fungicide.
The listed active ingredients are:
Tebuconazole: 1.00% Imidacloprid: 0.20%

Perhaps you have found a different version of the product, which is not both an insecticide and fungicide????

Jeri

That's odd, the one I have is only a fungicide. I don't believe in spraying insecticides. The label I found online says it is 2.9% tebuconazole.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bayer Disease Control

I suspect that may be the problem.
How uncomfortably confusing!

Jeri

Bayer makes too many things and loves to combine all of them in odd ways and then call them similar names. For anyone looking for the Disease Control be sure to check the label carefully and make sure you are only buying a fungicide.

True, it is confusing. I'm going to look some things up and come back! Thanks all! :)))