Yellow leaves on roses: This is what you should do now
The most beautiful rose petals are not pleasing when they are surrounded by yellow leaves. The causes of this flaw can be varied.
A young woman planting Rose flowers in the garden. Gardening, botanical concept. Selective focus.
Have you already noticed yellow leaves on your roses? If so, you should act quickly. Yellowing leaves indicate that the plant is suffering and is either unable to photosynthesize properly or is lacking nutrients in the root area. In the following, you can read about the most common causes and how you can take targeted action against yellow leaves on roses.
Nutrient deficiency as a cause
In most cases, a nutrient deficiency is behind yellowing rose petals. These plants value, among other things, plenty of nitrogen, potassium, iron , magnesium and phosphorus. Here are the shortcomings:
Potassium deficiency: yellow to brown spots on the leaves
Nitrogen deficiency: leaves completely yellow
Iron deficiency: yellowish leaf tips, green leaf edges
Magnesium deficiency: Leaf veins turn yellow
Phosphorus deficiency: yellowing leaves and stunted growth
Choose a special rose fertilizer for your weakened roses. Alternatively, you can also use home remedies such as coffee grounds. But please note that the yellow leaves of your roses do not necessarily have to be caused by a nutrient deficiency. Over-fertilization can also be the cause.
Or pests are at work
Some pests suck the sap from rose petals. This leads to the supply of chlorophyll being hindered and the leaves turning yellow. Possible pests include aphids or spider mites.
When an aphid is infested, the leaves turn yellow and curl up. The aphids occur more frequently in very dry and warm weather. Spider mites, on the other hand, cause yellow to brown speckled rose petals. A white web can be seen on the underside of the leaf. If you want to get rid of these pests, try using soapy water or nettle decoction.
Diseases that cause yellow leaves
Two diseases are particularly important for roses, as they occur again and again. These include downy mildew and blackspot.
Downy mildew: Leaves turn yellow and have red-brown spots, and a gray-white spore coating also forms
Blackspot: brown to black spots, leaves gradually turn yellow and fall off
Prevention: Do not fertilize too rich in nitrogen, but rather more potassium-rich. This makes roses more resistant to fungal pathogens.
When the water balance has been overstretched
Another cause of your roses turning yellow can be the amount of water they are receiving. If the roses suffer from moisture because they have been watered too much or the soil is not permeable enough, they demonstrate this with yellow discolored leaves. Then water less and transplant the roses into more permeable soil if necessary.
Other reasons for yellow rose petals
In addition to the causes mentioned, there can be other causes that lead to yellow leaves on roses. This includes:
dryness and heat
upcoming leaf fall in autumn/winter
Stress from transplanting
Yellow rose petals are usually due to mistakes in care, but can also indicate stress, for example from drought or transplanting. Check exactly what is behind it and act accordingly.
