Question From: Macon, Georgia, United States
Q: I was pruning my roses today and notice many dead canes on all of the roses. Even the traditionally hearty, dependable roses such as Mr Lincoln. Many of the canes have a "bulls eye" like formation in the center of the cane. I am just appalled because my husband and I spend a great deal of time spraying, picking off leaves with black spot, picking up and cleaning any black spot leaves up from the ground and treating the roses for all the other known enemies, such as aphids and beetles.
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A: Those holes are made by rose borers. To prevent their damage seal the cuts with Elmer's glue when pruning. Best time to prune these roses back is in spring when the Forsythia bloom in your yard. Best And Happy Yardening, Nancy
