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What is eating the leaves , and how can I repair them? #752472
Asked May 27, 2021, 9:34 AM EDT
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Dear mitchg5173,
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YOUR QUESTION #0022403:
What is eating the leaves , and how can I repair them?
What is Eating the Leaves of My Rose Bush? And, what can I do to make it healthier and to stop the feeding? Is this the result of slugs? I would love to have a healthy rose bush. Thank you MitchAsk Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States.
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Not traditional slugs but Roseslug sawfly larvae are what are eating your rose leaves.
Here is our page about them: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/roseslug-sawflies-shrubs
They are really easy to miss so you have to look carefully for them. Your rose doesn't have many leaves so try hand picking and squishing. Otherwise a horticultural oil or Spinosad spray (making sure to cover undersides of leaves) is recommended.
We also see Blackspot disease, which can be very damaging as well. Pick off any black spotted leaves and put them in the trash. Rake up and discard any under the plant as well. Here is more information on this: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/black-spot-disease-roses
All-in-all your rose looks like it is struggling. This page on rose care includes all you need to be sure that you are giving it your best, including mulch, fertilizer, watering, etc.:
https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g6601
Christine
You're welcome.
