On Wed, 23 May 2007 16:47:20 -0700, Persephone wrote:


Sigh. Seems like every year, when it starts to get toward summer,
I get serious rust on my roses. I pick off the affected leaves, but
is there anything I can use that will nip the problem in the bud g

Preferably as kind as possible to the environment.

TIA


Sounds like "black spot," a fungus that attacks roses, peonies, and
other plants. Increase the circulation so that the leaves do not
remain wet for long periods of time. You can thin out some canes to
improve circulation. Buy fungus-resistant roses. You can use a
fungicide (Ortho makes a product for roses) every week to prevent it,
but to be effective you must start using the product as soon as the
spring leaves appear. Fungicides are toxic, so you might consider
other methods of control.