Roses can get stressed just like us, and changing leaf color is their way of saying “help!” The good news is, that figuring out what’s making them unhappy is the first step to getting them feeling better again fast.
Sometimes yellow leaves just happen naturally when old ones die off. But it could also be too much rain, not enough water, or maybe bugs are munching away. The soil could be low in nutrients too.
Common Causes of Yellowing Leaves
It might be that the soil doesn’t have enough of certain nutrients the roses need, like nitrogen, iron or magnesium. You can give it a special plant food to add those back.
Water is also very important. Too much or too little water can cause problems. Check the soil isn’t always soaked or bone dry.
Some pesky bugs might be nibbling on the leaves too. Look closely and spray any bugs you see.
The fungus can also turn leaves yellow. Make sure air can flow around the plants on sunny days to help prevent fungal diseases like those causing mint leaves to turn yellow.
The weather and ground conditions could be an issue too if it’s very hot, cold, wet or the dirt doesn’t drain well.
How to Determine If There is a Problem?
See if all the leaves are yellow the same, or if there are dark spots. Spots with yellow around mean fungus might be the issue. If the bottom leaves are yellowing first, it probably needs more water.
Check the texture – are they dry and brittle?
Also, see if the yellow leaves are on the bottom more or all over. These things will help reveal what’s going on.
When checking the soil, do it early in the morning when problems show best. Use your fingers or a special moisture meter tool to make sure the dirt isn’t too wet or dry.
Taking your time to really study the leaves and soil can lead you straight to what’s stressing out your roses. Once you know the cause, fixing it is simple.
Preventative Measures for Healthy Roses
- Water them the same amount – not too much or too little. Check the dirt is moist about 8-12 inches down.
- Make sure extra water can drain out of the soil well so the roots don’t sit in wet mud. You can add things like sand or compost to improve drainage.
- Feed your roses regularly with food for flowers. Follow the directions on the package. Too much or too little food can stress them.
- Put mulch around the plants. This helps keep the dirt moist and cool in hot weather. It also stops weeds from growing.
- Give your roses a sunny spot for at least 6 hours a day. They need sunshine to stay healthy.
- Prune off any dead or sick-looking pieces. This lets fresh growth come in and air flows better to stop fungus and bugs.
- Watch closely for pests like bugs and spray gently with natural sprays. Keeping them under control is important.