Dealing with fallen leaves could reduce rose disease

11:12 4th August 2010

Families hoping that their roses look good over the summer months have been told that keeping a look out for falling leaves could be wise to help limit the chances of flowers being impacted by disease.

Val Bourne has written for the Daily Telegraph that the humid temperatures that may be found in the garden during August increase the likelihood of diseases such as black spot on roses.

However, steps can be taken to decrease the damage done by such diseases, including putting all fallen leaves in a bin rather than on a compost heap.

"Examine the leaves on all rose bushes and remove any that look suspect. Affected leaves tend to turn yellow and develop black spots," Ms Bourne stated on the news provider.

Furthermore, planting gentle perennials under roses could prove beneficial as they will provide a "leafy carpet" for them, while pruning roses so there are gaps between them could improve air circulation.

Meanwhile, aphids tend to be the main pest to affect roses as they weaken the plant by sucking on its sap.