Roses won't turn white or mouldy if sprayed with 1 thing you've got in the fridge

If you want your garden to look that little bit more luxurious, then you can't go wrong with roses. These stunning flowers come in so many beautiful colours, and burst into bloom during the summer months after lying dormant in winter.

Not only are they elegant, but they also smell lovely, making them an ideal addition to any garden. Like other plants though, they are susceptible to diseases which can damage or even kill off your roses. According to expert Callum Maddock from HomeHow, there's one key sign that your roses are in danger that every gardener should be aware of.

When you think about mould, you probably picture damp and foul-smelling indoor conditions. But mould can also affect our plants, and one of the diseases that roses are more susceptible to is called powdery mildew.

Callum said: "Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that lies dormant until the right conditions appear. It will show through mould forming on the leaves and stems and a thin white coating spreading across the rose bush."

You're more likely to spot powdery mildew during summer, because it thrives in warm and dry conditions with high humidity. But there's an easy way to banish this disease, and all you need is a common fridge staple - milk.

How to get rid of powdery mildew

According to Callum, a homemade milk spray is an 'effective' way to tackle powdery mildew on your roses - and it's so easy to make.

Milk protein is said to have an antiseptic effect when exposed to sunlight, so it's best to wait until a sunny day to do this. You'll want to mix milk and water in a 40/60 ratio and put it in a spray bottle, and give it a good shake to combine.

Then, spray the milk solution onto the plants, coating all surfaces in a light layer. This treatment is also successful as a preventive measure - so feel free to spray any plants near your diseased roses to keep them from developing powdery mildew as well.

You should aim to carry this out around every 10-14 days for the best results. Experts from The Spruce added: "It's advised to continue spraying until conditions are no longer warm and humid, even if you don't see any more powdery mildew."