Black Spot on Knockout Roses: How to Treat Black Spot in 3 Steps

[@robertdouglas5433]

it is also important to spray under the leaves, that is where I find sawfly larva,

[@GardenSanity]

Thanks Robert -- excellent point! 👍 Although I mentioned spraying the "bottom and top of the leaves" and mentioned you don't have to hit every single leaf's underside as being nearly impossible -- nonetheless I should have been more clear about this in the video. I'm pinning your comment to the top so that your point helps other gardeners here. Thanks for your comment! 🌹 😁

[@bellemieux]

Love your calm voice, sense of humor, and knowledge. (I say A-phid).

[@GardenSanity]

Thanks so much Belle! I appreciate it and glad you like my sense of humor too! Yes, it seems I'm in the minority saying "Ahhh-phid, so I'm trying to change my ways!

[@ukcarver]

What a great video, really enjoyed all your advice. I live in the UK and this year most of my David Austin roses have been badly affected by black spot. I live not far from David Austin roses and their roses look wonderful and I can’t see any black spot. Anyway I’ll give things one last season to see if I can turn things around.

[@annann-fn2zi]

Thanks for getting to the point. For that reason, I’m your new subscriber. Glad I ran into your channel.

[@GardenSanity]

You're welcome! I try to keep extraneous topics from my videos . . . but sometimes I do digress about the plants I'm discussing. 🤣 Thanks for subscribing!

[@truthofthematter9409]

Great information!!! I just noticed the Diddleydoo has snuck upon one of my drift roses! When I first bought my drift roses this Spring they had black spot on them. I simply removed the leaves and it helped them completely. Now I need to relocate one of my drift roses because it's grown a lot and am betting that why the Diddleydoo Fungus got him!

[@GardenSanity]

First off, thank you! 😊 Secondly, see how much easier it is to say Diddleydoo versus some official name? 🤣 Mine also had black spot when I bought them. After removing the leaves, and then the rabbits chomping them down, they grew back fine but I do spray them occasionally. How big did that drift rose of yours get? 😳

[@truthofthematter9409]

@@GardenSanity I'd say it's probably about 2 foot tall but it's about 3-4 foot wide now! It's got the Diddleydoo! lolz

[@GardenSanity]

That’s some spread! 😯 By the way, do you say A-phids or Aaah-phids? 🤔

[@truthofthematter9409]

@@GardenSanity I say with a long A 🤣

[@GardenSanity]

That’s 2 for the long A pronunciation! 🤣

[@Suefromengland]

Just discovered your channel and just discovered gardening. I'm chronically ill but can do my new hobby at my pace so I'm excited. Awaiting some.citrus sorbet daffodils..and Ill wait til we've had some.colder days here in Georgia (as per your video) before I plant them. Thank you for wonderfully informative and interesting videos. I'm binging on them now!!

[@dennykoncz2907]

You go honey hope you and your garden blossom ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@linhmoberly4493]

Thanks for sharing . Very useful informations.. I have the same problems. Ur garden still looks beautiful and eyes pleasing . Now I’m going to buy some Neem oil for my roses.

[@GardenSanity]

You're so welcome, Linh! I hope the Neem oil helps -- keep me posted!

[@openoureyesLordtoday]

You are absolutely beautiful and so throughly!! Thank you so much! Wonder if it’s alright to move my rose bush to a more sunny spot!

[@GardenSanity]

Why thank you Patricia! 😊 Yes, transplanting shrubs in the early Fall is fine, as it will give your rose bush time to settle in before the dormant Winter season begins. Not sure what zone you are in, but if you're still getting hot temperatures, make sure to provide enough water to your newly transplanted rose bush, without drowning it -- just to make sure it doesn't dry out from the hot sun. 🌞

[@JohnandNancyTselepis]

Just found your rose treatment video on black spot. Thks.for the 3 in1 spray info. We garden in Zone 5a,"eh",which is how you pronounce "ehphids". 😊

[@GardenSanity]

Yes, I love that 3-in-1 spray! In fact, I just used it this week, as the black spot has made its annual return. Many thanks for the 5A and Aphids trick to remember! (Still don't know why I was pronouncing it wrong for years and years and years.) 🤣

[@cindysayavong8513]

I just planted knocked out roses last year. Someone told me to use liquid soap and vinegar for black spots. I might give it a try this year.

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Cindy, just be careful that you use very diluted vinegar or don’t use it on the roses too often, as the vinegar could possibly burn the leaves. 🌹🙂

[@JagtarSaini-b4c]

Excellent info

[@GardenSanity]

Glad it was helpful! 🙂

[@TracysHomeGarden]

Awesome info Laura! I think at one point in our gardening life (actually this happens to me every season when we get a lot of rain 😁🌧)….especially this year, we were hit with a very wet July and everything just couldn’t dry up properly. Great and useful advice we all could use in our gardens regardless of our zone. TFS Laura! 💚🪴🙏

[@GardenSanity]

Thank you Tracy! 😊 Yes, this Summer was really tough here as well. Between the brutal heat waves, multiple storms plus remnants of Frank, Henri and Ida, and the awful humidity - it’s been quite a difficult season for black spot. ☹️ I’m ready for my gardens to dry out! 🙏🏼🌸

[@calicokia5245]

I say long aphids. My rose bush is a few years old and still smallish, also have black spot on the actual flowers themselves. Looks like I have alot of work to do. Thank you very much for the instructions!

[@GardenSanity]

Thanks for weighing in on the long A in aphids! 👍 I’m trying to get used to saying it that way - who knows how I began saying the short A version of the word. 🤔🙂 Don’t lose hope about the black spot. It may take a short while to improve things, but you’ll get there! Please keep me posted!

[@AISEL117]

Good exchange. 🌹👍 Beautiful video. 🌹👍

[@GardenSanity]

Thank you so much! 🌹

[@kathrenbeckwith5932]

Thank you so much I am new at growing roses .

[@GardenSanity]

You're welcome Kathren! Black spot isn't guaranteed to happen, but it's always good to be prepared! Enjoy your roses! 🌹

[@renee2005]

Thank you for sharing- I just bought some knockout roses 🌹🌹🌹a lot to learn😊

[@OliveCityOasis]

Good video for me to watch today as I'm planning to tackle my rose beds over the next few days. They're older roses - beautiful but in need of constant pruning since they grow and bloom year-round here. I do struggle with black spot at times. I don't have any humidity, but the Bermuda grass insists on invading the area, making things too crowded. I just need to stay on top of maintaining the beds more regularly - and probably try some of that 3n1 Neem Oil, too. (Also, I've always said ay-phids. 😊)

[@GardenSanity]

I'm beginning to think I'm in the very tiny minority of those who say ahhh-phids. 🤣 You are SO very lucky you don't have humidity like we do. I envy that climate! However, I wouldn't want the Bermuda grass -- so I guess we each have our pros and cons! 🙃🙂

[@patriciasmith3906]

I love my Roses thanks for sharing your video 💕👍

[@GardenSanity]

You’re welcome Patricia! 🌹😊

[@susanlawson8565]

Aphids is pronounced ayfids. Also, a good spray for aphids is to fill a spray bottle with water add a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid, and around 10 to 15 drops of peppermint oil remove as many as you can manually then spray the plant on top of and underneath all the foliage and soil. This worked a treat on the aphids on my new roses.

[@GardenSanity]

Thanks so much Susan for weighing in the Aphids pronunciation! I appreciate it! Also appreciate your homemade spray for Aphids -- sounds like it works and probably smells great too! 😃

[@kokilapatel1025]

Very informative information for roses.

[@GardenSanity]

Thank you Kokila - glad it was helpful!

[@RionPhotography]

Oh girl I hope you got a backpack sprayer by now. Cheaper in the long run because you can use concentrate and also way easier to cover those larger plants.

[@GardenSanity]

🤣 I'm literally laughing out loud at this Rion! Because no, I haven't upgraded to a decent sprayer yet but I also never think about it UNTIL the black spot rolls around again! And just this week, there it was again, and now I read your comment! 🤣 So yes, on my list but I'm shaking my head as it always seems so much easier to simply grab the small spray bottle and begin spraying. 😄

[@RionPhotography]

@@GardenSanity haha get on it! I mix up five gallons at a time and then whenever it rains I just strap the pack on and spray and it’s a five minute process for everything, and one batch lasts several rounds of spraying!

[@GardenSanity]

@@RionPhotography One day I will get one . . . promise! 🤣

[@ssvcreations4474]

Nice sharing my friend

[@GardenSanity]

Glad you liked it!

[@MybestLucky]

Very helpful.

[@GardenSanity]

Glad it was helpful! 🌹

[@Pixics]

Mine have a lot of black spots, but it's true, they don't look great but my roses are still going strong.

[@GardenSanity]

Thanks for weighing in! Glad to hear your roses are doing great despite some black spot. That’s good to hear, as it sounds like you have healthy, strong plants. 👍🏼🌹

[@dalilamendoza44]

I also like to prune the inside for better air circulation.

[@GardenSanity]

Glad you do that too Dalila! Air circulation is so helpful! 👍🌹

[@georgiadegitz1578]

Great information!

[@nancydelgado260]

Thanks! Good info👍🏽

[@GardenSanity]

My pleasure Nancy! 🌹

[@janhardin8696]

Helpful tip is to use a 0.5 gal. Poly Tank Pump Sprayer and fill with ur fav spray…saves ur hands vs a hand sprayer

[@GardenSanity]

That is indeed a helpful tip! Thanks Jan -- I appreciate it! 👍

[@VassilkaMorrison-pd7ip]

Very helpful😊

[@GardenSanity]

Glad to hear it Vassilka! 🙂

[@mariachabrier1385]

What to do when the leaves are looking burned from the extreme sun and heat?

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Maria -- One reason this happens is -- believe it or not -- the roses need more water. Even if you're providing a regular amount of water, when we get those horrible extreme heat situations -- we need to provide more water. Another option is to water earlier in the morning, so that the water has a chance to get down into the soil versus drying from the hot sun. And to answer your question -- you can either gently remove those burnt-looking leaves -- several at a time -- or let them just stay on the rose bush and eventually fall off on their own. You don't want to defoliate the rose bush by removing them all at once, as the leaves help protect the stems and take in nourishment from the sun. But similar to what you would do for removing black spot leaves -- do several at a time. When I had black spot, I would remove about a dozen leaves, then wait several days up to one week before removing the next leaves. I hope this helps. This Summer has been brutal! 🌹🙂

[@willaerley7140]

For me, A-phid. Just planted my first limelight Sunday. We’re supposed to get downpours Thursday. If I cover the whole thing with a garbage bag, do you think that will prevent the dreaded flop?

[@GardenSanity]

One vote for A-phid so far! Congrats on your new Limelight! 🌱 You would probably need to put some poles or stakes inside the garbage bag to prevent it from weighing the flowerheads down. We’ve had rain from Fred, Henri and tomorrow will be Ida. I need to give each of my shrubs an umbrella! ☂️ I’m so done with rain and humidity.

[@truthofthematter9409]

Wish we'd get rain!

[@willaerley7140]

@@truthofthematter9409 Last year in CT, we had a terrible drought. My oak tree had no acorns and my hollies had no berries. This year it won’t stop raining. Are you in a wildfire area?

[@truthofthematter9409]

@@willaerley7140 Nah... right smack in the middle of the nation! Missourian here

[@truthofthematter9409]

@@willaerley7140 You can send some rain this way!

[@sharonwren561]

Hi all I have not got roses that have been planted for about 3 years and they do not grow any suggestions I fertilize in spring cut back deadhead all of that thank you for your help I'm exasperated

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Sharon, I'm sorry you're having problems with your roses. What zone are you in? Where are they planted -- in full sun? Are you saying that once you prune them back in early Spring that they never put on any new growth at all? Do they flower at all? Do the leaves look healthy? As you can see, lots of questions but this will help me possibly be able to help you! 👍🙂

[@sharonwren561]

Hi There! Im in zone5a to 11a Long Beach,Calif. Very moderate climate I fertilize in spring, and deadhead as needed. My roses have done nothing since planting...cant figure it out..plenty of sun, but they seem stunted since the beginning...could this be soil is bad? I use shredded bark compost.. Thanks for you help@@GardenSanity

[@GardenSanity]

@@sharonwren561 Hi Sharon, it sounds like you're doing everything right -- and that you have a wonderful moderate climate too. So by "stunted" are you saying they don't grow any new canes (stems) once you prune them back in the Spring? Also, do they have healthy green leaves on them? As for your soil, what is planted nearby? And how are those plants doing? I'm wondering if moving the shredded bark compost away from the plants and putting a nice layer of composted cow manure -- or something like Land and Sea Compost by Espoma or similar -- will help. Before I would put that down, gently use a trowel to loosen up the soil around the roses so that you can mix the compost layer into that top layer to get things "going" so to speak. I'd also add in more Rose-tone -- mixing that into the soil and compost as well. Don't remove any soil, instead just add and mix together. Also, just curious -- how old or young are the plants?

[@lynnballantine5686]

If I want to prune in the Spring, does is have to be before any growth? Before any blooms?

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Lynn -- You can prune in the Spring or in late Fall. I used to prune in late Fall, but now I prefer early Spring. I have an entire video on how to prune your Knockout Roses, plus Fall care tips and more, in this video playlist here on my channel: kzbin.info/aero/PLenOueHl62Oxq8hlHOX0p40biLWrox8pL&si=ZfATSt3eKEPu4XmC I demonstrate what to look for as I prune. And I find that pruning once you see some leaf growth coming out on the stems to be helpful -- as then you know the stems are indeed alive and didn't die off from any Winter freezes. I hope the videos help you, and after watching them -- let me know if you still have questions. 🌹❤

[@lanaritter9410]

I have two running roses were the most beautiful they have ever been in about 6-7 years. However, there are stems that have lost all their leaves and then there are black spots all through the roses! HELP! What do I need to do????

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Lana! For any stems that no longer have leaves, I would remove those stems. Cut them back so you're removing all of the "dead" part of the stem that has no growth on it. Sometimes stems (also called canes) will simply die out over time. New stems may grow from where you make your pruning cut. As for the black spots: are you talking about on the leaves? If so - and if the 3-in-1 spray I show in the video isn't helping - please watch my video about "severe black spot" that I dealt with last Summer. This will hopefully help you. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l161ZpmEr7yApc0si=BMfU4w9FnNIaGkik Please keep me posted! ❤️

[@serendipidus8482]

My grannies rose is dying ..It has had black spot twice this year and all the leaves fell off then it grew new growth then they all fell off again. My aunt didn't keep spraying them or feeding them. I am considering taking it out of the ground cut off all its bad branches and letting it sit under a cloche in a pot or something. I dont want my grannies rose to die!@@

[@GardenSanity]

You can watch my other "black spot" video - what to do for extreme black spot, as it sounds like what your grandmother's roses are experiencing. At the first signs of black spot, it's always best to spray with neem oil and remove the affected leaves. You can also use neem oil as a preventative. Also trimming out the inner stems to keep the air flowing through the shrub greatly helps, especially with humid Summers. If you remove it now and transplant it, the rose might not recover that well as the plant is already stressed from the black spot.

[@serendipidus8482]

@GardenSanity yeah I was thinking it moght tip it over the edge. The issue is my aunt puts her bins beside it and budging my aunt is impossible! 😆 it has no leaves now. Last time I visited. I had need oil and lent it to my son for his camping trip he lost it and hasn't got me a replacement. Little shit. Lol! There are other plants now getting wild mildew..if she would just move the bins. But she's 84 it's not going to happen she nearly had a fit argueing about at least swapping the compost waste bin with the recycling which is at least less likely to have moldy things in it. Someone told me let the suckered grow. This seems wrong as I feel they're draining the main plant. I want to cut them all away. What do you think? This was a rose gardener but the way told me this. It didn't seem right but I said I'd try anyway.

[@GardenSanity]

@@serendipidus8482 Oh I know that once we reach a certain age, it's most likely we will all become more stubborn! 🤣I'd suggest searching for another spot to plant it, and next Spring, transplant it into a new spot, prune it and fertilize it, and it hopefully will be happier. As for the suckers - if a rose gardener suggests it, why not try it? It might help!

[@paulh9173]

The dictionary pronunciation is Afid A as in A B C

[@GardenSanity]

Thanks Paul -- I appreciate it! I'm not sure where I picked up saying it the wrong way, but I'm trying my best to use the long A now! 👍 Of course, it would be even better if I didn't have aphids and therefore wouldn't need to say the word at all! 🤣

[@paulh9173]

Also, ha, the Brits say clematis, like in clemmy but here in the states i always hear clematis as in door mat

[@GardenSanity]

@@paulh9173 I’ve heard Clematis pronounced exactly both ways like you mentioned Paul! And I think the way it’s pronounced like door mat makes it sound like a disease, especially when the “mat” is the emphasized part of the word! 😂

[@notsuitable7954]

I have a rose pest on my David Austin roses. It looks like a skinny grain of rice. Almost as thin as hair and it's black and shiny. I cannot pinpoint what insect it is and it lives inside the rose petals. I hope this bonide solution works thank you

[@GardenSanity]

I hope it works too! If possible, cut off one of the roses with the pests on it, put it in a plastic ziplock bag and take it to your local nursery and see if they can help identify what the pests are. Hopefully they’ve seen it before and can best advise what to do. Keep me posted!

[@notsuitable7954]

@@GardenSanity will do Thank yoi

[@lynnballantine5686]

It might be somethiing called THRIPS. I don't know anything about them except they are sometimes on roses. They are quite thin.

[@gardeningwithgeetkumar]

Very informative video mam.

[@GardenSanity]

Glad you found it to be helpful!

[@brittneyhankins833]

Why do you not need to prune/remove the infected canes? Is it really effective to only remove the leaves? The canes themselves on my rose bushes have little black spots all over them, so it makes me think I need to remove them as well.

[@GardenSanity]

Good question Briitney -- thanks for asking! If the canes are infected too -- you will definitely need to remove those as well, you are correct. 👍If the black spot is only confined to the leaves and not the canes/stems, then yes it is effective to just remove those leaves as well as spray the entire plant. You can remove those canes now to help prevent the black spot fungus from over-Wintering in your garden. I hope this helps!🌹🙂

[@brittneyhankins833]

@@GardenSanity very helpful, thank you! How much cane can safely be removed without killing the plant? I have a rose bush that has blackspot all over, all up and down ALL the canes! I would have to cut them down to ground level to remove it entirely. Is that dangerous to the plant?

[@GardenSanity]

@@brittneyhankins833 First before you remove anything -- have you sprayed them at all? To me, that's the first step -- so that you begin to attack the fungus right where it is on the plant itself, as well as in the soil -- yes I even will spray the soil lightly too, but not drench it. If you spray first, and wait several days, that's a good start. Then you can begin to remove the leaves first, even the ones on the ground -- just like I mention in the video above. For pruning, you can cut them down to about 12 to 18 inches tall. It sounds extreme, but it should kickstart the shrub into growing back nicely. (I have a pruning video you can watch to show me doing exactly this: cutting them way down.) And when the roses begin growing back -- do a preventative spraying every so often to keep on top of the black spot. 👍 Where are you located?

[@brittneyhankins833]

@@GardenSanity you are so helpful, thank you! I’m located in SouthWest VA, zone 6.

[@GardenSanity]

@@brittneyhankins833 Glad to help Brittney, and hope the black spot goes bye-bye from your roses! You could prune your roses either now (since you're in zone 6 or wait until early Spring. 👍

[@dianehansma1725]

The A in aphids is a long A not a short A….I do remember that from school, I’m surprised😂and I’m close to 70😮! Thanks for tips!

[@GardenSanity]

Thanks Diane! 👍 Well it sounds like you have a fantastic memory, right? ❤️ I would love to know where in the world I picked up saying "aphids" incorrectly. Nobody says it that way, so why I ever did is a mystery!

[@dianehansma1725]

@@GardenSanity 💌we all say words wrong at some time….it was just funny hearing it that way! All good, keep up the great videos!

[@GardenSanity]

@@dianehansma1725 Oh not any problem at all - I was sincerely impressed with your memory . . . as I seem to forget all kinds of things at age 58. 🤣

[@dianehansma1725]

@@GardenSanity lol, no problem, it was kinda cute!💌

[@aishwaryahariharan1560]

I have black spots on stem of my knock out rose bush .is it harmful to my rose bush ??

[@GardenSanity]

Hi Aishwarya, those spots are either from Black Spot that over-wintered on your shrub, or they can be caused by a number of fungi. It isn't going to kill your rose bush, but at the same time you don't want it there either. You have a few options, and there's no need to panic, which is good! 🙂 These options will depend upon where the black spots are located on the stems. If these spots are towards the top, an easy pruning of those stems -- making a pruning cut below the black spot -- is your best bet. If the black spot is just on a few stems, but up and down those stems, I'd remove those stems as far down to the base as possible. And if all of the stems seem to have it, you can give your Knockouts a hard pruning to completely rejuvenate the rose bush. (See my Pruning Knockout Roses the Easy Way video for step-by-step on how to do this.) All types of fungi over-Winter in our gardens, and Black Spot is no different. Since no leaves are present, many times this fungus -- and other types -- will spend the Winter on the rose bush stems instead. Some ways to reduce this from happening is to use a good multi-purpose fungicide, like I mentioned in this Black Spot video you watched above. You should also make sure your pruners are clean in between pruning different plants, as that can sometimes transfer pathogens from plant to plant accidentally. These fungi -- including Black Spot -- love humid conditions, so it's not uncommon to see it in early Spring depending on your climate where you live. For me, in zone 7 southern New Jersey, almost our entire Summer is hot and humid, so a lot of prevention occurs such as spraying the roses before any problems arise. And it's crazy how fast it happens too. One day the roses are beautiful, the next day there's black spot on the leaves! (So frustrating at times!) I hope this helps you? Let me know! 🙂 🌹

[@aishwaryahariharan1560]

@@GardenSanity thank you so much for your brief explanation and I’m going to follow the steps u mentioned above ❤️btw I’m living in zone 6 New Jersey 😊

[@GardenSanity]

@@aishwaryahariharan1560 Sounds like a plan, and please keep me posted. And I'm waving to you here in NJ too! 👋

[@aishwaryahariharan1560]

@@GardenSanity sure I will keep posting you.have a good day ❤️

[@GardenSanity]

😊🌹

[@EllieMencer]

Long A - Aphids - dictionary says "ay-phids" - hope that helps... kind of like 'herbs' Herb! LOL

[@GardenSanity]

Thank you so much Ellie! This does help -- and I'm trying to get better with say it with the long A! (And still shaking my head about how I ever developed saying it the wrong way!) 😀

[@Mark-c9h3l]

I always say Aphid, A rhyming with able, ace etc.

[@GardenSanity]

Thanks Mark - I’m doing my best to say Aphid correctly. I still catch myself sometimes! 😀

[@serendipidus8482]

Ay fid. Not rhyming with able or ace...😂 but the a is pronounced like the a in ace or able.

[@serendipidus8482]

​@GardenSanity, ah, you're a product of the American disputation system. What can you do.

[@LaurieStovall-iq2ms]

I say afasis

[@GardenSanity]

Yes, it’s the long A sound I need to keep in my head! 😀

[@rafikbeekun830]

AAAphids please.

[@GardenSanity]

Thanks Rafik! I stand corrected, and have been saying it correctly . . . finally! 🤣

[@lynnballantine5686]

AY-FUHDS

[@GardenSanity]

Thank you so much Lynn! 😊 I'm getting much better at correcting myself if and when I say it the "other" wrong way! 😅

[@dm03ton]

english is a phids

[@GardenSanity]

Indeed it is! The long A is now forever in my brain! Thanks! 😀

[@evelynclifford2180]

Aaaafids

[@GardenSanity]

Thanks Evelyn! (I'm still shaking my head where I ever got the idea to pronounce it incorrectly!) 🤣

[@rondietz5079]

AAAAAphids !

[@meodel4525]

It’s Á-fids. Long A, accent on first syllable

[@GardenSanity]

Thank you so much! I appreciate you and others helping me get this straight in my head! (And I'm getting better at banishing the soft A coming out of my mouth!) 😀