Project List: Rose Rosette Disease
- Excessively thorned shoots or canes, or malformed leaves
- A ‘Witch’s broom’ effect, where numerous small shoots form a cluster like a broom
- Unusually red or purplish colored new growth
- Overall stunted or abnormal growth
- Flowers that don’t open in clusters, causing a ‘rosette’ form, and a general lack of vitality
We now know that a tiny Eriophyid mite definitely causes the spread of a virus that produces the symptoms above. Note that many roses naturally have new red growth, and a rose must have more than one symptom to be considered infected. While additional research and breeding are being undertaken and there is some hope, as of yet there is no cure.
North Haven Gardens recommends the following to help us all stop the SPREAD of this disease:
- Carefully observe your roses at least once weekly. Early detection is key since rose rosette spreads and can affect other nearby roses quickly. This is the most important step you can take to help stop the spread of the disease to other gardens.
- For help with diagnosis, you may bring in photos for help (please do NOT bring in samples to NHG), email them to feedback@nhg.com, or seek help from the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Agency.
- Remove infected roses immediately. On a windless day, bag the plant first, and then remove the plant roots and all. Be sure to remove the entirety of the root system along with any leaf and stem de‐ bris, and dispose of it without composting in the bag.
- You can replant with another rose in the same location, if the area has been cleared and you wait at the very least two weeks before planting. For help with rose alternatives, see one of our Garden Advisors.
- When planting roses, mix varieties with other plants. Do not use leaf blowers around them.
- You may wish to treat any other roses with a miticide to help kill the mite or spray dormant or all‐season oils during cooler weather to reduce their numbers.
Speak to a Garden Advisor for further diagnosis help and rose culture tips. Visit North Haven Gardens to check out our plant nursery or give us a call at 214‐363‐5316 to discuss additional questions.