What is the current suggestion for spraying or not spraying rugosa roses for pests?
Most Rugosas do not tolerate spraying. Their crinkled leaves hold the sprays inside the leaves and can burn them. Generally, they have good disease resistance. Why do you ask?
something is eating the leaves otherwise they are beautiful and thriving…this is a bug problem. I was told Neem oil or Safer insecticidal soap but not sure.
Terese Bugnet is the rose under attack
If you can, try to find the offending insect. If it is a caterpillar, BT will work. Why don’t you spray the insecticidal soap on a few of the bottom leaves and ditto, on the opposite side of the rose with the Neem oil and observe what happens to the leaves. This test will help you find out if either of these sprays will damage your rugosa leaves.
Thank you! Good idea! I’ ve never had this problem before, but I just moved to a new city so things might be different here,