I had a major aphid problem on my rosebuds, so I decided to spray them with a mix of washing up liquid and warm water from a clean spray bottle. It worked, and the aphids were gone after a few days. However, a week later, all the buds have dropped off, and my plants look really sick—the leaves are dying too. Did I end up poisoning my roses, or was the damage done by the aphids already too severe?
2 Answers
It sounds like the issue might be linked to how much washing up liquid you used and how diluted it was. I’ve been careful to spray only where I see aphids, but going heavy on the entire plant can definitely lead to problems and harm the roses further.
Your washing up liquid solution could have clogged the leaves' pores, smothering the plant. If the concentration was too high, it might have stressed the roses even more. Interestingly, the type of washing up liquid you chose can also make a difference. It’s worth checking if it’s a brand that’s safe for plants.