First off, I should have asked more questions.

Who was to blame?

When you spray, how much you mix the solution, and more can affect the results.

White climbing roses on porch and side of home

Credit:Alison Miksch

My mom was over one afternoon and noticed my sickly plant.

On closer inspection, I saw the white specks and black leaves that caught her eye.

While Mama was able to quickly identify the issue, Crocker says a concise web search also works.

Climbing Rose

Credit:Alison Miksch

Avoiding late-in-the-day waterings where leaves remain wet into the night hours can ensure leaves dry efficiently.

Once youre sure of the problem, the next step is to settle on a plan of action.

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Yet two more pitfalls my poor little shrub fell prey to.

Crocker suggests a ratio of two tablespoons of Dawn dishwashing soap per one gallon of water.

For a little extra kick he says you might also add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the mixture.

From there, ensure the solution is properly mixed, then add it to a spray bottle.

Crocker advises starting small, spraying just a tiny portion of your garden before committing to the solution.

This will ensure its safe for your plants and environment.

The first thing to do is double-check your solution is thoroughly mixed.