Monroe County Master Gardener Association

In the last few years, I’ve planted 5 David Austin James Galway roses along my newly installed fence, an Eden climbing rose and Zephirine Drouhin climbing rose on an arbor installed.  Along with these were several rose bushes I’ve planted throughout the year.  My roses were doing beautifully with foliage, but I notice the buds looking a bit odd.  I first thought it was just the odd weather we’ve been having because as they were opening I notices brownish edges on them.  Many opened fully, but you could see the damage.  I did some research and found that I had thrips.  I followed some instructions to make sure by taking an open rose and shaking it onto the palm of my hand….yes there they were.  They are so small, like the size of a whisker, these tiny little insects sucking the life from my roses. 

For treatment I got a rose insecticide making sure that it said it would treat thrips.  I sprayed every bud and bloom on every rose in my front and back yard.  I did this to make sure I can eliminate them.  I left it on a day, then I went back and cut off every bud and bloom on every rose bush in my yard.  I did this even though some did not show damage.  I just didn’t want to take the chance.  Hopefully, they’re controlled and will only hurt this first spring bloom.  I will definitely spray as soon as I see a bud forming to prevent further infestation.  Cutting all those beautiful roses and buds off was just so depressing…I’m sure I will feel better as soon as they begin to produce again. I put them in a sealed bag and disposed of them.  Just heartbreaking.  Thrips tend to go for light color and pink roses, however I cut all just to be safe. I suppose that’s why my Eden shows the most damage.  Hopefully, they have blooms by the garden tour.

I will closely watch for any signs and spray periodically.  The foliage still appears healthy, although I did find a few saw fly damage and larvae.  I picked those off and destroyed them. Here are some photos of all I had to treat and remove.