Asked on Jul 19, 2014
Beetle ravaged rose bush
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Those nasty little buggers turned my favorite rose bush to shreds. Is it ok to cut the bush way down to about 6-10 inches high? I cut some of the others down and they have come back great, but this one is a special one to me and I'm afraid I might ruin it. I cut it way back in early spring, and it was absolutely gorgeous until the darn beetles made themselves a 5 course dinner out of the leaves!
9 answers
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beetles do not like citrus.....so cut it back and put lime, lemon, or orange peels around it....it should flourish...mine did! @Nancy Hetrick
Blinda Edwards Adams
on Jul 19, 2014
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Sounds like Japanese Beetles....they like rose bushes and Linden trees as well as other plants. There is a spray you can use and also beetle traps. Check with your local nursery to get the name of the pesticide. We had them in our garden a couple of years ago and treated them with spraying the Linden tree we had and also we used the beetle traps. Thing is you need to catch them in the spring when the larva is still in the ground. I know Menards carries the traps as well as spray. If they are in your garden, probably other gardens in the neighborhood have the problem also. Aphids also like rose bushes too and can suck the life right out of rose bushes. Hope this helps.
Lynnzieberry
on Jul 19, 2014
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marygows planted around roses will keep the beetles from eating them they hate the smell
TommynKaren Garmon
on Jul 19, 2014
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I use sevin dust on the beetles.it will not harm the roses.
Mary Runyon
on Jul 19, 2014
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We have the same problem, don't like to use sprays, so I just pick them off & put them in a jar full of soap & water. It's a pain, I know & has to be done everyday!
Anne Fitzpatrick
on Jul 19, 2014
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I'm not sure what type of rose you have, but I would not generally recommend pruning roses that severely this late in the the season.
Douglas Hunt
on Jul 20, 2014
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I don't know what type it is, it came from my Father's rose garden after he passed 8 years ago. That's why it's so special to me. What do I do about the destroyed leaves? Some of the leaves are so shredded that they are barely hanging on. I am getting some new growth though. Should I cut the canes back to the new growth? This is the same bush that had 8 gorgeous flowers on one cane! Any help would be appreciated.
Nancy Hetrick
on Jul 20, 2014
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Nancy, If Japanese beetles are your problem, the "season" is usually short lived and the leaves will quickly renew. Check with your County Extension Agent who can identify the beetles and guide you. I agree with Douglas Hunt, you don't want to prune them back more than a third right now.
Claudia
on Jul 21, 2014
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Thanks everyone for your help. I used sevens a couple of weeks ago and that stopped them for a while, but I picked several off again last night. I'll let it alone for now and dust them again today. I think I'll also try Blinda's idea also. I love the smell of citrus, so when I'm out on my deck I can enjoy my flowers and the wonderful smell of oranges, etc.
Nancy Hetrick
on Jul 21, 2014
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