Diseased desert rose, again!!!!! help | ExpatWoman.com
 

Diseased desert rose, again!!!!! help

221
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 10:43

This is my 3rd desert rose that I buy from Garden center and before I get to enjoy it on my balcony, I notice black dots on the petals and the leaves!!!!! I tried to fight it before, but nothing worked and I had to trash it (I hate trashing live plants). What to do???? Has anybody had a same problem with desert rose????

15
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 May 2013 - 09:56
Hi, Your roses are being eaten by a black beetle colony that live in the soil at the base of the plant during the day. The black dots you see are their excrement. Once they arrive they keep repeating the growth cycle- ie eggs- so just killing the beetles you see isnt enough. You need to do it regularly for a few weeks until the newly hatched ones are all gone. I spray regular insecticide on them at night- covering the whole plant and undersides of leaves and the surrounding soil. You will see loads of beetles falling off (sweep them up so no birds eat them). Word of caution- make sure you change your clothes and shower after spraying as the insecticide blowback can make you sick. I nearly poisoned myself! I hate poisons generally but these beetles are tough as nails and once they move in they demolish most things.
196
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 May 2013 - 20:07
Hi I have lots of desert roses both in pots and in the garden. I spray mine with a mixture of water in which I have steeped lots of crushed garlic and I add a few drops of washing up liquid. Usually kills most things. Fjcruiser is right though, you can cut it back and usually it will grow again. Just steer clear of the sap that comes from them as it is an irrritant
221
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 May 2013 - 18:50
Fjcruiser Thank you for your reply. Mine is in a pot and that might be just it! I have returned it to the store and got a new one, I'll give it a try one more time and as soon as I see anything weired, I'll cut it of ;)
542
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 15:12
I had exactly this on mine a few months ago and most of the leaves had been eaten.I cut all the diseased buds and there were only a couple left. I thought the plant would die but it didn't. After a few months it came back alive.It is growing in my garden though not in a pot.Not sure if it made a difference.
221
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 11:47
@ Plum2 Thank you for your suggestion! i will try that, but I dont see any bugs, just black dots!!!!! I even talked to the gardener, at Garden Center and told him that I dont want another diseased plant!!!! But I still got one exactly the the last plant :( but Ill go wash my plant now. Thank you
1913
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 May 2013 - 11:24
I had bugs on one of mine. I used one of my mum's old rememdies. Wash the plant and all the bugs off with soapy water (I just used some fairy liquid in mine). It worked like a treat.
 
 

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