Does Baking Soda Help Rose Bushes?
Baking soda is often thought of as a household item and may not seem like a useful tool for flower gardening, but it can be an effective treatment for rose bushes when used properly.
What is Baking Soda?
Baking soda is an alkaline compound, also known as sodium bicarbonate, which acts as a mild antiseptic and neutralizes acids when dissolved in water.
How Does It Help Rose Bushes?
Baking soda can be used in two ways to help rose bushes: first, it can act as a fungicide; and second, it can act as an insecticide.
Baking Soda as Fungicide
Benefits of Baking Soda as Fungicide: Fungal diseases such as black spot are common problems among rose bushes and can be effectively treated with baking soda. When mixed with warm, soapy water and sprayed on the leaves, the alkalinity of the baking soda helps to neutralize the acidity of the fungal spores and prevent them from spreading.
How to Apply Baking Soda as Fungicide: To use baking soda as a fungicide, simply mix 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 1 quart of warm, soapy water and spray it onto your roses’ leaves. Make sure to cover both sides of the leaves until they are completely saturated.
Baking Soda as Insecticide
Benefits of Baking Soda As Insecticides: The soap component in the mixture helps to smother many insects pests while the alkalinity of the baking soda also makes it difficult for them to survive in such an environment.
