Yellow Leaves on Roses

[Dr. T.]

We have just relocated to Memphis this past spring & our new property has three very large wild rose bushes in the back. They all three bloomed with great gusto around mother's day & have been continually producing a reasonable number of blossoms ever since. Western Tenn. has been deluged with rain up until the last two weeks. I've noticed that since the rain has abated, the leaves immediately underneath the outermost layer have been turning a sickly yellow color. I've been watering them & pumping on some store-bought rose food. Is there anything else I should be doing? I'd hate to see the whole mess become jaundiced.

[The Helpful Gardener]

This is probably the first signs of black spot; at this stage the best control is hand removal of said leaves. If you really want to spray something on the plants, I recommend neem oil as my spray of choice...


Scott