Roses

[Helen]

Does anyone know of curly leaf on roses? We had several severe frost days in a row, have lost a lot of plants. I pruned my roses after the heavy frosts quite hard as I didn't get them done last year! Two of the standards have a lot of curly leaf, have never seen this on roses before, they are old, planted in 1970's early 1980;s, they have plenty of flowers& buds, are they just getting old like me?

[Jason]

Hi @Helen,

Sorry to read that your roses are suffering. I take it you haven't found any evidence of any insects on them causing damage? 

It might help community members to diagnose the problem if you can add a photo or two. 

Jason

[robchin]

Hi Helen.

It's my experience that Roses will last for a long time. They are gross feeders though because they flower a lot and you cut them back every winter. Feed at least once a year with a good controlled release fertiliser. You can get specialised Rose food which is probably better. If they're not mulched - they should be.

In relation to your leaf curl - hard to say but it's likely to be insect damage - sap sucking insects - possibly Aphids or Thrips. Either way - seek out a good insecticide for controlling these and it should solve your problem - not straight away but over the spring. Be aware of spraying in hot weather though with Summer coming on.

Good luck.

Robert.

[Helen]

Thanks robchin. Am aware of all you mention, but couldn't work out the curly leaf, no sign of aphids on those roses, have been dealing with a few on others!

[Jason]

Hi @Helen,

Let me tag a couple of resident horticulturalists to see if they have some ideas for you regarding your curly leaf problem - @Adam_W and @Branchy249.

Jason

[Adam_W]

Hi @Helen any chance of a photo, reasonably close-up?
Few things it could be but a visual ID always helps.

[Helen]

[Jason]

Thanks for uploading a photo @Helen.

@Adam_W, you can see a full size version of the photo here. Hope it helps in identifying the culprit.

Jason

[Stephen-H]

Hi @Helen not sure if this helps but go here http://www.apsnet.org/publications/apsnetfeatures/Pages/Roses.aspx and scroll down to viruses, about half way down the page

[bergs]

Hi, all good help from members. 

Helen, did you get any frosts after you pruned them back after they got burnt from the first frost?

If you did get another frost, it would burn the new shoots.

How are They going now?

They shoud be flowering well now. 

Good Luck 

Cheers bergs