Identifying And Treating Rose Mosaic Disease
Rose mosaic virus can wreak havoc on the leaves of a rose bush. This mysterious disease typically attacks grafted roses but, in rare cases, can affect ungrafted roses. Keep reading to learn more about rose mosaic disease.
Identifying Rose Mosaic Virus
Rose mosaic, also known as prunus necrotic ringspot virus or apple mosaic virus, is a virus and not a fungal attack. It shows itself as mosaic patterns or jagged edged markings upon the leaves of yellow and green. The mosaic pattern will be most obvious in spring and may fade in the summer. It may also affect the rose flowers, creating distorted or stunted blooms, but often does not affect the flowers.
Treating Rose Mosaic Disease
Some rose gardeners will dig out the bush and its soil, burning the bush and discarding the soil. Others will simply ignore the virus if it has no effect upon the bloom production of the rose bush. I have not had this virus show up in my rose beds to this point. However, if I did, I would recommend destroying the infected rose bush rather than take a chance upon it spreading throughout the rose beds. My reasoning is that there is some discussion about the virus being spread through the pollen, thus having infected rose bushes in my rose beds increases the risk of further infection to an unacceptable level. While it is thought that rose mosaic may spread by pollen, we know for a fact that it does spread through grafting. Oftentimes, rootstock rose bushes will not show signs of being infected but will still carry the virus. The new scion stock will then be infected. Unfortunately, if your plants have the rose mosaic virus, you should destroy and discard the rose plant. Rose mosaic is, by its nature, a virus that is just too tough to conquer currently.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our DIY eBook "Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter".
Stan V. Griep contributed to Gardening Know How for many years, and has been a Colorado Native Rosarian for over four decades. He is an American Rose Society Certified Consulting Master Rosarian in the Rocky Mountain District, and a member of the Denver Rose Society, the Loveland Rose Society, and the American Rose Society. He is Gardening Know How's in-house expert on all things roses.
-
How To Make Plantable Seed Greeting Cards: Share The Joy Of Growing This Holiday Season
Get creative making holiday cards using plantable seed paper, and give the memorable gift of growing flowers that will delight recipients for months on end.
By Mary Ellen Ellis
-
Want To Grow Four Season Containers? Try These 6 Best Plants For Pots All Year Round
After reliable container gardening options that serve you across all four seasons? You’ve come to the right place, as we present the best plants for pots all year round
By Tonya Barnett