Rose Rosette Disease
Rose Rosette Disease, often shortened to RRD, is a serious viral disease of roses. It is associated with distorted new growth and is spread primarily by eriophyid mites and by grafting. There is no cure for a systemically infected rose.
Do not diagnose from red growth alone
Many healthy roses produce red, bronze, or burgundy new growth. Colour by itself is not enough for an RRD call. Compare the affected cane with the rest of the plant, the cultivar's normal growth, recent herbicide exposure, weather stress, insect damage, and whether the symptoms are spreading.
Symptoms worth photographing
- Dense witches broom or rosette-like clustering of shoots.
- Excessive soft, pliable thorniness on new growth that looks unlike the plant's normal canes.
- Distorted, narrow, strapped, twisted, or stunted leaves.
- Buds or flowers that abort or deform.
- One cane or section showing abnormal growth that progresses over time.
- Decline, dieback, or repeated abnormal flushes after growth should have hardened.
What to do if RRD is plausible
- Take whole-plant photos plus close-ups of the affected cane, leaves, buds, thorns, crown, and nearby roses.
- Check for RRD Look-Alikes, especially normal red growth, Herbicide Injury, aphids, mites, thrips, and heat or root stress.
- Contact local extension or a plant diagnostic lab when available.
- If RRD is strongly suspected or confirmed, remove the plant promptly, including as much root material as practical.
- Bag infected material and dispose of it. Do not compost suspect RRD material.
- Monitor nearby roses and multiflora rose, which can act as an infection reservoir.
US and UK/EU notes
- RRD is a major concern in the US and Canada, especially where multiflora rose is present.
- RHS notes RRV is a problem in the USA and Canada and says suspicious UK cases should be reported to plant health authorities when herbicide injury is not a good explanation.
- There are no pesticides that cure RRD. Mite control is difficult and is not a substitute for removing infected roses.
RRD comparison tool
Use the RRD compare tool from the sidebar to upload suspect photos and view them beside verified RRD reference images. Mods can add reference examples by approving public images and tagging them Verified RRD.
Use controls lawfully: Current local product label/register wins for any pesticide, fertiliser, or soil amendment use.
Sources
Discussion log
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