Rose deformity

Question

I have about 80 roses. Most are hybrid teas. Several began to grow, after winter pruning, with dwarf size leaves, canes and flowers. I repruned these canes, but some new canes, not all, are deformed. It also appears to be contaminating other plants. What to do? Is this terminal to all roses in my garden? Is there a treatment to stop this growth? Can an infected plant be saved?

Greg Billups

Answer 1

Hi Greg. It really depends on exactly what is causing the problem. If it is truly a disease like Rose Rosette disease there in nothing you can really do. It is best to dig out all that are currently infected along with the soils around them for a diameter of 24 inches or more. Replace the soils with new amended soils and plant some new rosebushes you always wanted to try. It could be some genetic thing that will grow out of it. I have a couple rosebushes that have had weird growth on them this year and never did before. It looks a bit like the Witches Broom but is not actually the dreaded rose rosette virus/disease. I pruned those canes way down to within a couple inches of the ground and sealed the ends with Elmers white glue as usual. I also clean my pruners with Clorox or Lysol wipes after each pruning cut so as not to spread anything. The new canes that grew back have been fine. I would recommend taking some cutting of them, place them in a plastic bag, and take them to a local Consulting Rosarian, greenhouse, nursery, Master Gardener or University that has horticultural specialists and see what they say. If it is spreading to others though I would not waste too much time getting the ones infected out of there! Remember to wipe down the pruners good with Clorox oe Lysol wipes so as not to be spreading things that way.
Here are a couple Links for you to check out:

http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/450/450-620/450-620.html

http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/vista/pdf_pubs/666.pdf

Stan The Roseman