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What to do about last year’s leaves still on roses?

NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
in Plants
My shrub roses, planted last summer, still have lots of old leaves on them, some now looking a bit tatty and some with black spots. But the new growth is shooting away inbetween - do I strip or snip the old leaves off completely or leave them to drop off naturally? I assume the black spots are the actual disease ‘black spot’, will this infect the new growth?
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.

Posts

  • Mark56Mark56 Posts: 1,653
    Yes it will, discard and burn all leaves with black spot.. including those surrounding the plant then mulch with well rotted manure or compost. It is a fungal infection that can be passed on the following year. 
  • NollieNollie Posts: 7,529
    Ok, great, thanks Mark, I best get defoliating and mulching tomorrow! Is it best to be thorough and snip off all the old leaves including those that look ok, just in case? This was my instinct but will this be too much of a shock? There are a LOT of old leaves!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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