Newbie gardener here, trying to figure out what is eating these spots into my leaves. I say "spots" because they aren't all holes. Many of them are spots in the leaves that have gotten tissue paper thin. A few weeks ago I say these tiny, oblong, lime green bugs on the under sides of the leaves. I haven't seen them in a few weeks though. Anyone have any ideas? Thank you!!
Most likely newly hatched worms, and when they got bigger they moved on to other more tender leaves- I don't think rose leaves are too yummy!
My 14 mature Knockout shrubs around our porch got attacked by sawfly larvae several weeks ago. By the time I realized it was a problem and got a systemic drench down, they had practically defoliated several of the bushes. Now I'm in a watch-and-wait pattern to see if I need to do a severe pruning, or if they'll re-leaf out.
Thanks Terry! Would something like Sevin be a good candidate for a spray? I just got foliage back on these babies after a bad case of black spot. I really don't want to lose more leaves. :(
Sevin can be used, but it's toxic to bees, so don't spray it on the flowers.
Bayer makes a 3-in-1 drench that feeds and protects against fungus, pest and other diseases. I'd recommend finding it and following the label for application. I was planning to apply a bag of Beaty'sMagic Mills Mix rose food when mine got attacked, so my local landscape supply recommended a different systemic insecticide/fungicide to pour around the base of the plants (applying another fertilizer wouldn't have been warranted.)
I found 3 green Japanese Beetles hanging out inside the flowers last night. Spray has been applied, we shall see.
This message was edited Jun 13, 2012 7:51 AM
The Japanese beetles are due for an appearance here, too. But I knew the holes in my leaves were caused by something else because they occurred so early in the season.
Could also be "rose slugs". They look much like a tiny green worm. The Bayer 3 in 1 should take care of them too.
Or--Ear Wigs....They also chew on leaves,,,,,Hide under pots and boards--just like slugs...
When you pick up a pot or a brick or a bag of soil that has been on the ground for while--
they are under there. The slim. beetle-like bugs with curved pincers at their head.
I just step on them and squish them. NO mercy!!! Gita
Ok, the day after spraying, one rose's leaves turned brown and were beginning to curl. Now, a week later, it has 4 leaves left and they don't look so hot. I have not done any more spraying, but I am afraid I might have killed the poor guy. He is still blooming though. :(
Mine almost completely defoliated before the systemic drench and fertilizer kicked in. Now they are putting on a flush of new leaves and a few blooms. Water and time. The Japanese beetles have arrived - I need to take a bucket of soapy water out today to the perennial borders. Uck.
