Spider Mites and Summer Care

by Anne Theivagt

August 02

 Now that the heat is here, it's spider mite season.  Spider mites establish huge colonies on the underside of leaves, giving a salt and pepper appearance.  One of the first signs of infestation is the lightening of the lower leaves as the mites suck the juices.

To prevent spider mites in my yard, I turn my water wand around and spray the bottom of my bushes at least once a week, plus I have a low spraying sprinkler that I use to water.  These two seem to do the trick, as I have never had any spider mites that I know of. Apparently when the mites are washed off rose bushes, they die on the soil surface, as they can’t fly.

Chemicals that can be used are Avid^©, a broad-spectrum systemic miticide;, Floramite, a contact selective miticide/ovicide; and Kelthane, a contact miticide.  If you do spray insecticides or miticides please follow all the directions on the labels and use the proper safety equipment.

This time of year while we are also enjoying all the beautiful blooms on our roses, don’t forget to water, water, water! Roses need lots of water.  Our roses still need fertilizing, both granular and liquid, but most of us stop fertilizing the end of August.

Hopefully you are spraying for black spot and powdery mildew every 7 to 10 days.  I alternate sprays, using Banner Maxx^©, Funginex^©, and Immunox^©. I recommend that you alternate also; then the fungi won’t become immune to any one spray. Also be sure your plants are well watered before you spray.

 It’s a good time of year to evaluate your roses, which ones are not performing well for you, or you don’t care for its growing habits or its color or form or whatever. You could keep these in mind for our rose auction in November. Mark them somehow and dig them out in November to bring to the auction. 

Another evaluation is which roses do you just love? I liked Gemini so much last year that I bought 4 more bushes this year.  If you are shovel-pruning some roses, you can start thinking about what you will put in their place.   To help in that decision come on out to the rose garden at Point Defiance Park and take a look at what grows well in our area. 

Also be sure and come to our 2002 picnic at Ralph Taylor’s house and take a look at what he’s growing. Ralph’s done very well at the rose shows this year, including winning the Queen of Show at our show and at Valley’s rose show. This is your opportunity to see his garden and enjoy everyone’s company.

(Webmaster note: The 2004 picnic will be at the Pt. Defiance Park rose garden. Come and view the roses there as you make choices for next year's garden.)