Roses need more attention as the temperature drops than just watering them, as now in autumn they need to be protected from pests if you want them to survive in the cold weather, Aphids tend to have a population surge in September as their natural predators like ladybugs are dying off, but it is still warm enough for these insects to eat away at a garden.
If left unchecked, aphids are likely to target roses, feeding on their sap and weakening the plant by reducing its ability to absorb energy through damaged leaves. This means a rose will not have been able to prepare properly for winter, which makes it more susceptible to cold damage, fungus diseases or even dying completely.
However, Marielena, a gardener from Fryd has revealed there is a really simple way to keep aphids off roses, as just need to spray them with tea.
She said: “Spraying the infested areas with black tea is said to help against aphids. The tannins or essential oils are supposed to drive the aphids away or harm them.
“However, a single spraying is usually not enough and must therefore be repeated regularly (approx. every three to four days).”
Tea contains a natural compound called tannins, which gives the drink its colour and flavour, but it can taste really bitter to aphids.
Spraying tea on roses will make the plant unappetising for aphids to feast on, and also masks the scent of the flowers so the insects are unlikely to be attracted to it in the first place.
Tannins is also mildly acidic which will not harm roses, but is enough to irritate aphids and make them uncomfortable if they touch, which will also deter them.
How to use black tea to keep aphids away from roses
All you need to do is leave two teabags to seep in about 500ml of hot water for about 10 minutes. Then, remove the teabags and leave the water to cool down.
Pour the cold tea water into a spray bottle, and lightly use it to spray roses every few days, roughly two times a week.
It is better to spray roses in the morning or late afternoon, as aphids as most active during the cooler parts of the day.
However, do not use the spray at night as plants will not be able to dry off and become more susceptible to mould or fungal diseases.
Black tea is best use as a natural deterrent to prevent aphids or to use on a light infestation. If you have lots of these critters in your garden, it might be best to buy neem oil, which is still a chemical-free solution that can help against larger infestations.