Blackspot on roses

[Monika]

Not a veggie question, I know: our three climbing roses are really badly affected by blackspot this year, far worse than ever. Is it the strange weather?

One, Zephyrine Drouhin, has always been slightly affected by blackspot but I spray it with a fungal spray quite early on in spring, but the other two have never shown signs of it before. so why this year?

[Jude]

Zephyrine Drouhin is renowned for blackspot, I knew that when I got mine but got it anyway because it is so lovely, the perfume is gorgeous isn't it? Admit I spray mine two or three times a year and only just manage to keep it under control, also try to pick off affected / fallen leaves and dispose of them in the bin (not compost). I haven't got any other climbers but my three hybrid teas are occasionally affected, though to a lesser degree, funnily enough this year they seem to be fine. The climber is in my back garden, the others are at the front completely separated by the alleyway between our house and next door.

[PLUMPUDDING]

I've the same problem with the Zephirine Drouhin, but find if I clear away all the affected leaves and give it a very good mulch of horse manure it is strong enough to keep going and produces nice strong new growth. The mulch also covers any lingering spores on the ground that might splash up onto the plants when it rains.

We live in a valley with a steel works in the bottom and there used to be so much sulphur dioxide in the air that no one ever had black spot on the roses. It has only become a problem since the clean air act came into being. I must say I'd rather have clean air and put up with the blackspot.

[PLUMPUDDING]

I know it's silly, but I've got the Julie Andrews song in my head now - Blackspot on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens - oh dear!

[Jude]

That is just weird plumpudding - that tune has been going round in my head for the last 3 days! I believe it's called an 'earworm' when you get a tune in your head repeatedly. I often find that when I'm doing something repetitive
like digging, I get a tune or random phrase that nearly drives me bonkers

[PLUMPUDDING]

I've the same problem Jude, Julie Andrews has been replaced with the Bee Gees "Tragedy" since I watched a tribute programme last week. It gets so irritating when it goes on for weeks and even when I wake up in the night. I try to avoid listening to anything remotely catchy. I had The Boys are Back in Town again in my head for about 3 weeks - scream!