HTs in full sun seem to get it worst. i’m thinking of shovel-pruning my Moonstones and Sexy Rexys because they seem to get sick, as it were, as early as June or July and only get worse as the summer continues. But everything gets it to some extent… except, so far, Renae (fingers crossed). Here’s Love Song. Ick!

My established old-rose teas get it too, but not as bad. Dr. Grill puts out decent-sized blooms nonetheless:

However, i’m tired of the ugliness, the shrunken flowers, the distorted petals …

I dont want to use spinosad because we have dogs.

Today I sprayed them with RoseRX, but that’s just neem oil. I don’t have much faith in that.

I know I need the heavier artillery… or just toss everything? Nooo!

Please help.

Thanks,

Sylvia

Sylvia, oil, ANY oil, when applied when the sun is as brilliant and hot as it is right now across most of the country WILL fry the plants. I don't care what is printed about "rinse it off and it won't burn". OIL is OIL and it DOESN'T rinse off. Smear it on your hands and try rinsing it off. And, it WON'T handle Chilli Thrips. Save your time and money. Spinosad CAN help control the CT's until they become resistant to it, which WILL eventually happen if that is ALL you use against them. You CAN use Spinosad with the dogs SAFELY. Once it dries, it is safe for you AND your dogs to re enter the garden. I used it in clients' gardens with dogs for years as that is what you spray citrus with to battle Asian Citrus Leaf Miner. Figure out when you can keep the dogs out of the area and spray. Watch how long it takes for the spray to dry on the plants and lawn, then allow the dogs back in. It isn't as if you're spraying DDT or contact poisons. Spinosad is used in flea treatments, though in differing concentrations, but again, it is safe for re entry once the spray has dried. And, at least until the CT's build up resistance against it, it IS the safest thing you can use against them. Good luck!

Yikes! I didn't realize I was that far off base. It’s off to the store for spinosad for me,

Thanks, Kim!

"HTs in full sun seem to get it worst. i’m thinking of shovel-pruning my Moonstones and Sexy Rexys because they seem to get sick, as it were, as early as June or July and only get worse as the summer continues." These things LOVE HEAT. The hotter it is, the faster they feed, grow and reproduce. I know people in the LA and SCV areas who only look at their roses very early in spring and late in the fall when it's cooler and the CT activity is much lower. The upside is, Spinosad sprayed in those sunnier, hotter spots will dry faster, allowing you and the dogs faster re entry.