Black spot on roses

Black spot is a fungal disease that is spread by rain / water splash. It is worse in areas with high levels of summer rain and high humidity. Treatment is a year round battle as the fungus overwinters on stems and leaf litter. Any leaves with the disease leaves should be raked up and disposed of – but not into the compost bin! Stems with the disease must be pruned back to healthy wood. The plants should be sprayed with a Lime Sulphur spray in winter and a preventative spray program started at the beginning of spring once foliage emerges. Your local Palmers store has a range of sprays in different forms for you to select the type that best suits your needs.