Plant Shield

Plant Shield

Two different problems get treated here and using the wrong product wastes it entirely. Insect damage comes from sap-sucking pests such as greenfly, blackfly, whitefly, red spider mite and caterpillars, and needs an insecticide or a physical-action spray. Fungal damage shows as blackspot, mildew and rust on leaves, and needs a fungicide instead, because nothing that kills insects will touch a fungus. A 3 in 1 product combines insect control, disease control and a feed in one application, which suits roses specifically because they commonly suffer both problems at once. Pesticide free formulations are worth understanding rather than assuming they are weaker: they work physically rather than chemically, which means they must make direct contact with the pest to work, so thorough coverage including the undersides of leaves matters far more than with a systemic product. Format follows the size of the job. Ready to use trigger sprays and gun applicators at 800ml and 1 litre need no mixing and suit a few plants or spot treatment. Concentrates at 200ml are diluted before use and work out considerably further, which is the sensible choice for a whole rose bed or repeated seasonal treatment. Treat early before an infestation establishes, apply in the evening rather than in full sun, and always read the label before use.

Vitax and the Clear range cover the whole selection. RoseClear supplies an Organic Insect Spray 3 in 1 ready to use at 800ml and a RoseClear Ultra 3 in 1 concentrate at 200ml. Bug Clear covers insect control with a pesticide free Plant Shield spray at 800ml for blackfly and whitefly and a Bug Clear Ultra gun at 1 litre for greenfly, blackfly, red spider mite and caterpillars. Fungus Clear supplies a pesticide free Plant Shield spray at 800ml for blackspot and mildew control. For weeds and woody growth see Weed Killer and Brushwood Killer, for moss Algae & Moss Remover, and for feeding Plant Food.