I haven’t talked about Rose Rosette Disease in some time. But we have had several folks ask about specific products that supposedly, can treat and or cure RRD (Rose Rosette Disease). It seems they found a web site. I have not heard of or read any new information about RRD so I went looking. I know that the City of Allen has hosted several RRD seminars so that’s where I started. Here is the latest and exciting information from that seminar. But still nothing that can be applied to a plant that acts as a curative.
For those of you folks hearing about this Rose Rosette for the first time, it is a virus that is spread by an Eriophyid mite. There is no cure for this disease. If you have an infected rose remove it along with all of its root system. Symptoms and onset of rose rosette can look much like herbicide damage, but its effect soon becomes much more dramatic. Infected canes will sprout thick clusters (rosettes) of stubby, soft and brittle stems with elongated leaflets, a growth pattern commonly referred to as “witch’s broom.” On most types of roses these abnormal growths will have a distinctive burgundy-red pigmentation. The stems are usually very prickly, and the prickles tend to be soft and rubbery.
