Rose Rosette Virus - Ask Extension
Hello, I am a cut flower farmer in Poolesville MD. I have just lost my roses to Rose Rosette disease. They were only a year old and 85% of the crop is...
Knowledgebase
Rose Rosette Virus #869622
Asked May 22, 2024, 1:25 PM EDT
Hello, I am a cut flower farmer in Poolesville MD. I have just lost my roses to Rose Rosette disease. They were only a year old and 85% of the crop is affected. Our area is laden with wild rose (the cause) which supports the mites that transfer this disease. I am reaching out to see what can be done about removing the diseased wild rose in our town, I am wondering is this is something that y’all are testing or looking into? At this time it seems roses are almost impossible to grow if you are subject to the mites traveling around your area. I would like to participate in a testing or trial program if possible - I am not ready to accept that you cannot grow a rose in MD due to this issue
Montgomery County Maryland
Expert Response
We don't have information about local government permissions or projects for the removal of invasive species (it likely requires more funding then they are able to provide, especially given the likely need of repeat herbicide treatments). You could always ask your local government or see if a Weed Warrior Program would be able to help (though they do not use herbicides) for the removal of some of the Multiflora Roses.
A more reliable tactic might be to plant (if you have room) a "windscreen" of sorts of tall-growing perennials or shrubs on the side(s) of the property you suspect the infected mites are blowing in from. Even if you succeed in having nearby Multiflora Rose removed, the wind-blown mites might still arrive from other locations. Some growers (not local) have had success blocking mite colonization by using tall-growing ornamental grasses, for example. If you could grow something whose flowers can also be sold, that may be a win-win option.
Our IPM team advises farmers (nursery growers and cut flower farms alike), and since they don't use the Ask Extension platform, you can reach out to them directly with future questions if needed. The primary entomologist Agent is Stanton Gill and the primary plant pathologist Agent is Dave Clement. If they are able to conduct a field trial of some sort, either of those people would be a good starting point with whom to discuss your ideas. As for diagnostic testing, the UMD plant pathology lab is temporarily closed due to the recent retirement of the lab director, but nearby University labs are accepting samples (see link) until a new director is hired.
Miri
A more reliable tactic might be to plant (if you have room) a "windscreen" of sorts of tall-growing perennials or shrubs on the side(s) of the property you suspect the infected mites are blowing in from. Even if you succeed in having nearby Multiflora Rose removed, the wind-blown mites might still arrive from other locations. Some growers (not local) have had success blocking mite colonization by using tall-growing ornamental grasses, for example. If you could grow something whose flowers can also be sold, that may be a win-win option.
Our IPM team advises farmers (nursery growers and cut flower farms alike), and since they don't use the Ask Extension platform, you can reach out to them directly with future questions if needed. The primary entomologist Agent is Stanton Gill and the primary plant pathologist Agent is Dave Clement. If they are able to conduct a field trial of some sort, either of those people would be a good starting point with whom to discuss your ideas. As for diagnostic testing, the UMD plant pathology lab is temporarily closed due to the recent retirement of the lab director, but nearby University labs are accepting samples (see link) until a new director is hired.
Miri
