Gardeners across the UK are being advised to pour milk on their flowers this spring. Forecasters are expecting a combination of warm and wet weather over the coming weeks, which could create the perfect environment for black spot disease.
Gardeners are being advised to look out for the disease which could cause rose leaves to turn yellow and drop off. It begins at the base of the plant and spreads through water. Plants that get black spot disease are unlikely to bloom as they put more energy into fighting the infection rather than producing flowers.
In order to stop it spreading, experts recommend using cow’s milk. Kevin Lee Jacobs, an experienced gardener and creator of A Garden for the House, said: “A spray composed of one part milk and two parts water is the best answer to the disease. When applied weekly, the solution controls blackspot as well as any synthetic fungicide, including Chlorothalonil.”
Cow’s milk includes natural proteins and enzymes which can fight off fungal diseases. When exposed to sunlight, the milk creates an environment which prevents the fungus from growing.
Kevin added: “Spraying is work, but it isn’t hard work. Just be sure to wet both the top and bottom of the leaves. Pick up any fallen leaves, too. Otherwise, the spores of the fungus can splash back onto the rose during a rainstorm.”
According to the Met Office long-range UK forecast, which runs from Tuesday, May 13 until Thursday, May 22, there will be a combination of sunny weather and periods of “heavy and thundery” rainfall. This creates the perfect environment for the funal infection to grow on plants.
The forecast says: “Much of this period is looking dry across most of the UK, with clear or sunny spells for many areas, as high pressure likely dominates the weather pattern across the UK. However, at the start of this period, thicker cloud with some rain or showers, which could be heavy and thundery.”
On using milk to stop the fungus from growing on plants, Kevin added: “Spraying is work, but it isn’t hard work. Just be sure to wet both the top and bottom of the leaves. Pick up any fallen leaves, too.
“Otherwise, the spores of the fungus can splash back onto the rose during a rainstorm.”