The best folk remedies for aphids on roses

Nothing brings more joy to a gardener than beautiful, healthy plants. Unfortunately, just like other plants in the garden, they are susceptible to various pests and diseases. Colonies of green aphids often infest roses. A large number of insects not only detract from the roses' healthy appearance but also cause them to wilt completely. Instead of using chemicals, treating your plants with natural remedies will help eliminate pests.

The appearance of green aphids on roses

Green aphids appear on roses in late May and early June. Their bodies are round and no more than 1-2 millimeters long. Their chitinous covering is light green, making them very difficult to spot. The pest feeds on the sap of buds and young leaves. Numerous aphid colonies cause the complete wilting of the rose plant.

Aphids appear for three main reasons:

• The ecosystem in a summer cottage deteriorates due to failure to adhere to basic agricultural practices. These include: untimely weed removal, poor watering and fertilization, which lead to the overall weakening of plants.
• An active biological environment in the garden and vegetable plot. This means that the area is home to a large number of insects that feed on aphids or the dark, sticky substance they produce during their life cycle. Such predatory insects include ants, lacewings, ground beetles, and ladybugs.

• Pest prevention is poorly carried out or not carried out at all.

Signs of aphids on roses

It's quite difficult to spot the insects on flowers right away; their coloring allows them to camouflage well against the green stems and leaves. The first signs of an infestation appear when the pests begin feeding on rose sap. Aphids primarily attack succulent young leaves. This can be recognized by the following signs:

• the leaf blade begins to lose its structure and dry out;
• the leaves curl and lose some of their rich green color;
• a sticky, shiny, silvery or dark coating begins to appear on the leaf blades and buds;
• Aphid colonies settle on the underside of leaves so that they do not get wet by the rain and are less noticeable.

Destruction of aphids using folk remedies

To avoid harming roses and the insects that pollinate them, it's recommended to use folk remedies. They're no less effective than chemical treatments. For spraying flowers, use:

A solution based on liquid soap and dishwashing detergent

Fill a bucket with water and add 10 milliliters of dishwashing liquid or liquid soap. The resulting solution can be used for spraying and wiping with a sponge. If you have more than three rose bushes in your garden, it's best to use a sprayer, but if you have just a few plants, you can spray them by hand.

Manual treatment: Take a sponge, soak it in soapy water, and thoroughly wipe each leaf on both sides. Pay special attention to the undersides of the leaves and the buds. You can use this treatment every day until the pests are completely gone.

A decoction based on tobacco dust

Pour a liter of water into a two-liter saucepan, bring to a boil, add a cup of tobacco dust, and stir. Simmer the mixture for one hour over low heat. If the water evaporates, add more to restore the mixture to its original state. After boiling, let the infusion steep for 24 hours in a dark place. Then, strain the tobacco infusion through cheesecloth. Before using, dilute the infusion with 2 liters of water and add 5 grams of liquid soap. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray the roses. Repeat treatments every week.

Pollination with a mixture of tobacco dust and wood ash

Take equal proportions of tobacco dust and wood ash ground into powder, mix until the components are evenly combined.

Directions: Put on rubber gloves, pour a small amount of the resulting dry mixture into your palm, and sprinkle the powder over the plant and the soil around the bushes. Use one cup of the ash-tobacco mixture for every 2-3 bushes.

Ammonia-based solution

To prepare the solution, you'll need 50 milliliters of ammonia, 10 liters of water, and 20 grams of liquid soap. Mix all ingredients until smooth. Then, pour the solution into a spray bottle or mister and apply it to all foliage and flower buds. Spray once a week until the insects are completely dead.

Garlic infusion

Prepare an infusion using 10 liters of warm water and 2 heads of garlic. Chop the garlic cloves and place them in a bucket of water. Let it steep for 24 hours. Strain the infusion before using. This can be done every 10 days.

Pine infusion

To prepare the infusion, you'll need 2 liters of boiling water and 500 grams of pine needles. Place the needles in a bucket or other container, pour boiling water over them, and let steep for 7 days. After the time has elapsed, strain the infusion and dilute it with 2 liters of clean water. Spray once a week.

Varieties resistant to aphid attacks

Roses' resistance to aphids is determined by the density of their leaves. The rougher they are, the harder it is for insects to bite through them, meaning the plant is safe. These are primarily hybrid varieties of flowers:

• 'Karina' is a hybrid tea rose with distinct pink petals. The leaves are thick and covered with a waxy coating. The bushes are low, reaching up to 1 meter. It blooms several times per season.
• 'Fairy' is a polyanthus rose that is resistant to aphids. The flowers are small and clustered.
• 'Leonardo da Vinci' is a profusely blooming hybrid rose variety. The foliage is dense and coarse. The bushes grow tall and spreading. The flowers are double and small, 7-10 centimeters in diameter.

Tips for preventing aphids on roses

Following simple care recommendations will help protect your flower crop from aphids:

1. Maintain regular rose care. Remove weeds from the flowerbed regularly and inspect the plants for pests.
2. Plant nearby plants that emit strong odors that are unpleasant to aphids. These include mustard, dill, and marigolds.
3. Don't wait until pests settle on your flower bushes; use folk remedies for preventative spraying.
4. Destroy ant colonies promptly, as they bring aphids to your property.

Reviews

Tamara Andreevna, 40 years old, Krasnodar region

My rose garden is my bliss. A few years ago, I first encountered aphids on my roses. To avoid damaging the plants, I used traditional methods to kill the pests. An infusion of tomato tops worked very well. It's easy to make. Chop up about two kilograms of tops and pour a bucket of water over them. Let it steep for 6-8 hours. Then, strain the mixture and spray the roses. I repeated this process every week until the aphids were completely gone.

Marina Alekseevna, 60 years old, Rostov region

Roses and other flowers are my weakness. Every corner of the yard is planted with various flowers. Aphids appear extremely rarely because in the spring I try to spray them preventatively with a soap solution. To keep them away, you need to spray at least four times.

Roses will beautify any home. To enjoy their beauty, they require constant care. If basic gardening practices aren't followed, pests and diseases can appear. Besides aphids, roses can also become host to more aggressive pests. Therefore, to prevent this, take constant care of your favorite flowers.