Foliage Problems

Hi peoples, my 4 week old Neptune is going gang busters, so vigorous and lovely nice sized blooms with a great fragrance. However about 1/2 way up the bush I'm starting to get some odd looking foliage. I Have had mite problem, however this to me doesn't seem to be that.... What do others think?
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It appears to be red spider mite damage. I would suggest you apply Natrasoap according manufactures instruction then spray again with the same product 6 days later.

Thanks ausrose. I have never seen mites cause that sought of colouration before. What are the risks in using Natrasoap? Being a sufficient will that cause burning in the extreme heat we are experiencing? Just some of my thoughts.

There is always danger associated with spraying roses in hot weather. I've used Natrasoap in recent weeks when it has been hot without any major problems.

Paul, when using any sprays it is advised to to spray in the morning or evening, if you are going to get warm weather over there I would be doing it around daylight, but this is only me.

Thats spraying at 4-45am , Paul.......enjoy....hehehehehe......and to answer your next question...that is when I do mine as welll......

Spider mite egg above the "r" in spider. There are others however they are difficult to see because of the quality of the photo.


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I think I see it....

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Thanks peoples, 4.45am Neptune never heard of that time ha ha, by the time I hit the pillow its about 1.30-2.00am. Well mite as well give Natrasoap a go, I just dont want to have the same dramas when ever I use eco oils, spraying even when its only about 20 degrees cause my plants to crap themselves.   

you can always go back to sleep after spraying.....

What I do to be on the safe side when using a new product is try it on what I would descibe as my test roses before I try on my rose that are show bench performers.

I did have a problem with spider mites on one bush about a month or two ago, but I thought I got rid of them. Now all of a sudden the bottom half of the bush, the leafs have all turned yellow and fallen off. Would spider cause that, it seems strange as the top half seems fine.

They are most probably travelling up the plant to find more food. Spider mites travel from the ground up.

The first sign of spider mite is when all of a sudden you notice the foliage generally starts to dull. One day you look at the foliage and it has a sheen then a couple of days later it begins to dull like going from a gloss paint to a flat paint - you have the dreaded red spider mite.
As David has pointed out the mites start on the lowest leaves and work their way up the plant.

Thanks, looks like I'll be heading for the Natrasoap too

Doug, you should be on commission for Natrasoap   

David it's starting to look that way.