Rose Buds – Protecting and Treating

Q: Many of my rose flowers look like the buds are being eaten before they completely open. Just pink petals around a gooey brown center.

A: I think you have an infestation of tobacco budworm. Despite its name, this caterpillar also bores into geraniums and roses. It’s tough to control since it burrows into the bud and becomes hidden from insecticides. Try regular sprays with spinosad (Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew, etc) and use an imidacloprid systemic insecticide drench (Bonide Systemic Granules, etc) once per year.