Good info, thanks! You're not using any soap or anything when you wash them?

No. It's not necessary. The reason everyone suggests using soap is that soap is a "sticker" and supposedly keeps the spider mites from coming back. But if you are washing your roses regularly with just water, you don't need a sticker because you have broken the breeding cycle. You will never have a serious infestation.

Actually, if you are running short of time, you don't have to be very careful to wash under the leaves, because just wetting down the plant changes the moisture level within the plant. Spider mites like dry warm weather, not moist warm weather. Just make sure you find time to hit the under sides of the leaves next time you wash the roses.

Smiles,
Lyn

Thank you so much! 'Cause you *know* we have it dry, lol...

Yes, I know you have it dry. So do I. I think the roses are handling the triple digit temps better than I am

Managing spider mites with just water is soooo much easier with just washing down the roses using the hose and not bothering with mixing any solutions and using a sprayer and gets the job done in less time. If you are using a drip system, it is even more important to wash the plants down.

Once in a while, I'll find where I may have missed a spot and the mites have gotten started, but I just am more careful with that rose and the infestation is totally gone within a couple of days and has not spread to the whole plant.

Good luck with your roses.

Smiles,
Lyn

Thank you, you too!!