Bad Advice Regarding Rust, Mildew on Roses

For the sake of the humans, bees, butterflies and all living things on our planet, please do not follow Mr. Buzz Bertolero's advice in the recent Dirt Gardener column. He recommended Bonide Systemic Drench and Bayer Advanced All In One for Roses. These are systemic pesticides that are absorbed through the roots into the tissues of plants, including the pollen and nectar that are then ingested by the bees and butterflies and other pollinators that we need to pollinate the plants that we depend upon for food. Systemic insecticide are believed to be one of the major causes of the drastic decline in bees, butterflies and other pollinators according to The Xerces Society, Natural Resources Defense Council, and many other sources. If your roses or other plants have rust, mildew or black spot, these are plant diseases. You do not need a product that kills insects to treat a plant diseases. Furthermore, these systemic products can get into the food you and your neighbors are growing in your gardens. If your neighbor puts this into the soil around their ornamental plants, do you think the chemical will stop at the fence line and not be absorbed into the lemons or tomatoes you are growing on your side of the fence? Nope! It will be poisoning not only the pollinators, but possibly you too. It is well known these chemicals migrate in the soil, are very persistent in the environment, and have toxic effects on many forms of life. Even if you are not an organic gardener, please do not use systemic insecticide and fungicides. Do some research and educate yourself about the dangers. Much less toxic alternatives are available.

–Lynne Jensen, Castro Valley