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A good healthy garden requires basic knowledge of rose disease and prevention tips. By identifying the disease early in the season and taking immediate measures, the rose can usually be saved and produce beautiful flowers.

Powdery Mildew is a white powdery fungus which appears on the tops and bottoms of leaves and occasionally on stems. It will cause the leaves to drop and, if left untreated, can affect greater portions of the plant. The most basic way to prevent this fungus is to water the plant directly into the soil.
Powdery mildew is caused by excessive moisture in the air and from watering directly on leaves. For an organic treatment use a mixture of 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon of oil and a quart of warm water, mix well and spray on the mildew. 
As a preventive measure, roses can be sprayed with lime sulfur (calcium polysulfide) before spring growth occurs. Always clean up debris and fallen leaves around the plant and remove from the garden area. 
Rust is a bright orange powder found on the underside of leaves. It spreads and can be a real problem if not treated early. Again, keeping the rose foliage dry will help prevent rust. Use chemical rose disease and fungal control products, or follow the organic treatment suggested for powdery mildew. The best treatment is the removal of affected parts of the rose plant.
Blackspot is just that, a fungal disease which shows up as round black spots, up to a ½ inch in diameter. Some varieties, like hybrid tea roses, are blackspot resistant.  Blackspot can kill a plant if left untreated, so immediately remove all infected parts of the rose. A fungicide may work as an alternate treatment.
Rose mosaic is one of the few rose diseases which is a virus, showing up as yellow or green mosaic-like spots on plant leaves. The only treatment for rose mosaic is removal of infected parts. As a last option consult a rose expert for commercial treatment recommendations.
Canker, the presence of red or brown sunken spots on canes is difficult to control. Canker is spread through water which can enter a cane through cuts or wounds. Removing the affected part is the only treatment.
The best way rose disease and prevention can be achieved is by taking some basic precautions:
• Always water roses at the base of the plant, directly on the soil. Avoid pouring water on leaves.
• Fertilize rose plants as recommended. Healthy plants are more resistant to diseases.
• Clean rose beds and surrounding areas regularly, remove leaves and debris and place in a trash can. Diseased leaves can spread the disease to other plants.
• Cut and remove any diseased parts of the roses and place in trash can.
• Prune regularly. Give rose plants more space for air to circulate.
• Seal all cuts on the plant. Elmer’s Glue can be applied to each cut or purchase a professional sealant which contains fungicides.
• Wipe pruning shears regularly with rubbing alcohol to prevent contamination of healthy plants.
• Plant roses with a minimum of 4 feet between plants.
• When purchasing roses, look for fungal-resistant varieties.

Rose disease and prevention is not terribly difficult if you follow these simple tips!