I have been told my roses have RRD. I have about 15 rose buses in front yard. I’ve been taking loving care of them for 16 years. What do I do now? I’ve been waiting a week for help please. - Ask Extension
I have already submitted this query a week ago. I have been told my roses have a virus, RRD. Not curable.i have around 15-20 bushes with this dise...
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I have been told my roses have RRD. I have about 15 rose buses in front yard. I’ve been taking loving care of them for 16 years. What do I do now? I’ve been waiting a week for help please. #871426
Asked June 03, 2024, 8:32 PM EDT
I have already submitted this query a week ago. I have been told my roses have a virus, RRD. Not curable.i have around 15-20 bushes with this disease. What do I do now. The are blooming nice ones on every bush. May I cut them to bring into house? HELP!
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Dorothy,
I'm sorry to hear about your roses.
The roses are safe to cut and bring into the house. After they are spent don't compost them, put them in the trash (to help prevent the spread of the virus).
With RRD the disease can completely kill the plant in 2-5 years.
Five Ways to Manage Rose Rosette Disease
1. Monitor for symptoms frequently (once per week).
2. Bag and remove diseased plants quickly (there is no known cure for Rose Rosette disease). Bagging is necessary to prevent further spread of the disease via the air borne mite vector. Remove the root ball. This does not have to be bagged as the mite does not reside in the root ball. The infected plants should be destroyed by burning or transporting to a landfill. Do not compost.
3. A new rose may be replanted in the same space after one week has passed.
4. Miticides can be used to control the mite vector to prevent further spread of the virus.
5. The spread of the mite vector and thus the virus can be decreased by not planting roses too closely to each other and by interplanting roses among non-rose plants or structures.
The risk of infection decreases rapidly as distance from the infected plants increases, with little risk to plants separated by at least 300 feet.
Suggestions for Roses in the Landscape
1. Interplant roses with other non-rose species whenever practical and aesthetically pleasing. Use tall barrier plants on the windward side of the garden.
2. Visually scout roses for RRD symptoms bi-weekly during the growing season.
3. Immediately remove plants when RRD is confirmed. Pruning symptomatic shoots is inconsistently effective.
4. Deadhead roses throughout the season and place debris in a sealed plastic bag. Dispose of debris off-site.
5. Pruning in winter is warranted on an annual basis.
6. Always work with healthy roses first and RRD-suspect or infected roses last. This will prevent the mites from being spread to healthy plants on skin, tools, gloves, clothing and other equipment.
7. Visit nearby landscapes and natural areas. Eliminate carriers (wild roses including Rosa multiflora) when possible. Educate neighbors to follow these guidelines and take action as needed.
I hope this helps!
Boulder County Master Gardeners
I'm sorry to hear about your roses.
The roses are safe to cut and bring into the house. After they are spent don't compost them, put them in the trash (to help prevent the spread of the virus).
With RRD the disease can completely kill the plant in 2-5 years.
Five Ways to Manage Rose Rosette Disease
1. Monitor for symptoms frequently (once per week).
2. Bag and remove diseased plants quickly (there is no known cure for Rose Rosette disease). Bagging is necessary to prevent further spread of the disease via the air borne mite vector. Remove the root ball. This does not have to be bagged as the mite does not reside in the root ball. The infected plants should be destroyed by burning or transporting to a landfill. Do not compost.
3. A new rose may be replanted in the same space after one week has passed.
4. Miticides can be used to control the mite vector to prevent further spread of the virus.
5. The spread of the mite vector and thus the virus can be decreased by not planting roses too closely to each other and by interplanting roses among non-rose plants or structures.
The risk of infection decreases rapidly as distance from the infected plants increases, with little risk to plants separated by at least 300 feet.
Suggestions for Roses in the Landscape
1. Interplant roses with other non-rose species whenever practical and aesthetically pleasing. Use tall barrier plants on the windward side of the garden.
2. Visually scout roses for RRD symptoms bi-weekly during the growing season.
3. Immediately remove plants when RRD is confirmed. Pruning symptomatic shoots is inconsistently effective.
4. Deadhead roses throughout the season and place debris in a sealed plastic bag. Dispose of debris off-site.
5. Pruning in winter is warranted on an annual basis.
6. Always work with healthy roses first and RRD-suspect or infected roses last. This will prevent the mites from being spread to healthy plants on skin, tools, gloves, clothing and other equipment.
7. Visit nearby landscapes and natural areas. Eliminate carriers (wild roses including Rosa multiflora) when possible. Educate neighbors to follow these guidelines and take action as needed.
I hope this helps!
Boulder County Master Gardeners
