As we ring in the 2013 Valentine’s Day tomorrow, many growers are finding their concern shifting from their loved ones to the state of their roses. Powdery mildew is one of the most damaging infections that plague rose bushes today. Often appearing as a dusty, grayish-white powder on the leaves of your rose bushes, powdery mildew is a serious threat to the overall health of your roses. Ignoring the onset of these spots can lead to complete destruction of all rose bushes in your garden. 

A wide range of gardeners today have pinpointed powdery mildew as one of the most consistent, steadfast issues that they encounter. The fungal growth that covers your rose bush leaves grows quickly, covering the surfaces of leaves and turning them yellow. These leaves eventually become distorted and fall off of the rose bush. While there is technically no “cure” for these infestations, a variety of products have scientifically proven to both kill current outbreaks and prevent future infestations from occurring.

The following are some tips for what to treat roses with powdery mildew:

· Try to wash the roses at least two morning each week, these washes must be thorough to raise humidity and block powdery mildew spores from maturing

· Ensure that the rose bushes are dry prior to nightfall, residual moisture provides a place for spore germination

· Some gardeners choose to plant only disease-resistant rose cultivars

· Place rose bushes in an area with substantial air circulation and sunlight

· Help the rose buds by opening them in the center to enhance air circulation

· When watering, do not pour from overhead but rather from below to reduce humidity levels

· Avoid planting rose bushes in close proximity to structures such as walls

Keeping these tips in mind will place your rose garden in the best position to deter powdery mildew outbreaks. While there is no specific cure for these infestations, following the above tips is a surefire way to treat roses with powdery mildew and prevent future outbreaks from arising.