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Thick, Thorny Stems on Roses

July 10, 2002

This is a persistent disease of roses that causes the new growth to appear deep red, both on leaves and stems. Leaves may show crinkling, distortion, or a mosaic of green, yellow, and red. An infected plant produces numerous lateral shoots, giving the plant a witches’-broom appearance. These shoots are typically deep red and much larger in diameter than the canes from which they grow. Thorns on these stems are more numerous than normal, giving the stem an almost hairy appearance. Plants usually die within about 22 months of infection. Rose rosette is caused by a double-stranded RNA, which means that it is a viruslike disease. It cannot be cultured in a lab, and confirmation of the disease by the Plant Clinic is based purely on symptomatology.

Multiflora rose is the most common host of this disease, but it has been reported on cultivated flowering varieties as well. Climbers, hybrid teas, floribundas, miniatures, and a number of old variety roses have been infected. Hybrid teas typically show a color that is more yellow than red. So far, no other host besides rose has been found. Our clinic has seen a few cases of this disease on hybrid roses in the past few years. Because the symptoms are so striking, nurseries often spot this disease and quickly rogue out infected plants, helping to keep the disease in check.

The vector of this disease is an eriophyid mite, a mite so small that 20 could fit on a pinhead. Eriophyid mites are much smaller than red spider mites, which are commonly seen on plants. Grafting may also spread rose rosette disease.

Currently, infected plants cannot be salvaged. Plants with symptoms should be dug up and destroyed (including roots) when first noticed. Remember, these plants are going to die soon anyway. It is strongly suggested that multiflora and garden roses be separated as far as possible from each other. The efficacy of mite control has been questioned in control of this disease; but if miticides are used, research suggests that the critical mite transmission time is May and June. So concentrate your efforts in those months. For details of this disease, consult Report on Plant Disease (RPD), no. 666.

Author: Nancy Pataky

 

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