Question
Hello. I have rose bushes with bad cases of black spot throughout. I have given them Bayer Advanced Rose 3 in 1 hoping to stop the disease, but it continues to attack. What are my options to get my roses back? Remove them, cut them back severely? Thanks.

Answer
Dear Mark, The Bayer Advanced Rose All in 1 should control the black spot on your roses, but here are some tips that might help.  The Bayer product is a systemic and it will take several months to be completely effective.  In the meantime, you should purchase a spray product for the roses until the systemic has time to be effective. Make sure the product specifies roses and black spot and spray the roses thoroughly, top and bottom of leaves on a regular schedule, say every 7 to 10 days.  Be sure to remove and bag all leaves that fall off the plant as they can re-infect the plant. You could prune them back somewhat; less leaves will mean less work.  Keep the Bayer product applied, spray the roses in the interim and keep the area clean of dead leaves and you should see some noticeable difference within a few weeks to a month.  Please write back if you need more assistance.  Good luck, Melissa