Troubleshooting Aphids On Rose Buds

Aphids, especially greenfly, are a real pest on juicy rose buds during a hot spell at this time of year (roses open around the time of the summer solstice). Although there is one adult here (bottom right), we have mostly young greenfly, which are born live (viviparous) and develop through several stages, often shedding cuticles or skins which fall down to leaves below (see 'Old Cuticles Are Sure Sign Of Pest Trouble')


Young blackfly are also present

Aphids need controlling because they spread viral diseases and cause structural damage to flowers and leaves. They also excrete honeydew as they feed (you have probably experienced this when walking beneath the canopy of summer trees) which drops onto the lower leaves and attracts black sooty mould (this is not in fact harmful, just disfiguring).


Also in other colours:

Aphids also come in many other shades and colours


CONTROL
Control with 'Provado' (thiacloprid) for long-lasting systemic action, or organic fatty acid sprays, or soap and water, or water, or remove by hand or . . . there are many treatments.

See also 'Lonesome Greenfly'; 'Blackfly On Dahlia Bud'

Frost Damaged Rose Stem?

I spotted this dying rose stem (the one on the right) on one plant whilst applying feed. Don't think it was there before when I applied fungicide, though not certain. Definitely looks like the start of something, probably dieback. Although, having said this, on first impressions I would say it was a burn of some sort - perhaps caused by the spray or, more likely, by frost.

IS IT TOO MUCH FEED?
Last year I gave rather a lot of feed: A lot for me, that is. I only gave the recommended dose. But this could have caused new growth to continue too late into the autumn, with insufficient ripening taking place. Lots of soft green tissue is asking for trouble where frost is concerned.

Of course, it might not be frost damage. But it IS the coldest plant. And it's the only one affected in this way. Were the damage caused by spraying, other plants would have been damaged.

TREATMENT
I used same feed as last year but cut rate in half. Back to normal.

Is This A Leaf Spot?

This is the second yellowing leaf found within the past two weeks with a fungal attack at its base. And, as you can see (right), it has gone right through to the underside. Is it leaf spot? I don't know. Had a look through manuals but can't find it.

Although there was an infestation of leaf spot last year, started from an ivy leaf geranium brought in from a new source, it had a different appearance. This infection was walnut-brown with dark, concentric rings. So, if it is leaf spot, it looks like a different type.

All the plants which had been outside were treated with fungicide last year. But this plant was kept indoors, not exposed. There has never been anything like this before. Anyway, even if the plant were infected and if the fungus survived, why has it not appeared before now?

The yellowing leaf was taken from the over-watered plant recently described. So it might not be a leaf spot fungal infection; it might be a disorder caused by the over-watering, which has gone mouldy. Any thoughts?