Roses look specular in June as they are in full bloom, but their flowers can easily be destroyed i if gardeners fail to discover the first signs of black spot. Black spot is the most serious disease that roses can get, as it spreads through water during hot weather, and can be difficult to get rid of once it gets into the soil. 

This disease will first look like round black splotches on the top of rose leaves and if not cut off the fungal infection will cause the plant to droop and the flower petals to shrivel up. Black spot will weaken roses to the point they cannot blossom, but one expert at Gardening Calendar notes that this disease is easy to prevent with just a few simple summer garden tasks.

They said: “Remember, for all types of fungal conditions, the fact is fungus spores are always present. 

“Fungi simply stay in a dormant state when conditions are less than ideal. This is why it’s very important to create an environment that is conducive to good rose growth and hostile to the growth of fungus.”

How to stop black spot disease this summer

Check and spray your roses 

Black spot is only dangerous if it is discovered too late so be sure to check on your roses at least once a week, and treat it as quickly as possible if the leaves seem discoloured. 

Baking soda is a simple way to bot prevent and treat earlt black spot disease as it is a alkaline substance, which disputes the fungal spores at the early stages to weaken them and reduce their ability to infect. 

The expert said: “Make a baking soda solution by dissolving a teaspoon of natural baking soda in a quart of warm water. You can also add a teaspoon of dish soap. Spray your plants and leaves thoroughly to prevent black fungal disease and also powdery mildew.”

Baking soda is a gentle way to fight against the early signs of black spot so your rose stay blooming brilliantly throughout the summer.

Make sure your roses have plenty of space

It is incredibly important that roses are not planted close together, as they will quickly become overgrown and their stems will become tangled. 

If plants do not have enough air to circulate around them, then moisture will build up due to the amount of rain British gardens get. 

Stagnant water will encourage black spot as well as other diseases so make sure to also check your roses weekly and cut back the stems if they are starting to look overcrowded. 

The expert said: “Be sure to prune your roses regularly so that there is enough space between the canes for good air circulation. If your roses become too dense, they will be susceptible to black spot disease.”

Water roses properly once a week 

It is incredibly important to keep roses hydrated in summer if you want them to bloom, but many gardeners do not realise they can encourage disease by watering them overhead. 

Do not let water get onto the stems, leaves or petals as the built up moisture will also encourage black spot. Instead, water the base soil around roses deeply once a week to keep them healthy. 

The expert said: “When you use this method of watering, you avoid splashing fungal spores up from the ground. By keeping the leaves and flowers dry, you avoid creating a habitat for fungus.”

Keep your garden clean 

It may seem simple, but fungal growth spreads in decaying foliage which is why it is so important to pick up any leaves, petals or cuttings off the ground as soon as possible. 

The expert said: “When you leave them lying around, any spores that may be on the leaves will reproduce rapidly and can be blown about easily.”

Moisture can build up in rotting plant matter and can also encourage pests so gather it up and put it in the rubbish bin,  not a compost bin, to keep your garden healthy.