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Rose Mosaic Virus - What to do?

16 years ago

Well, it finally happened. I have a Rose de Rescht in a pot and this summer it started to show that familiar mosaic patterning on its leaves. I had hoped that it was a deficiency of some kind. But, it appears to be RMV. What do you folks do, just get rid of the plant?

Another rose that I've had for ten years in the ground also has some splotches on its leaves, although not the mosaic patterning. Can a rose go that long without showing signs of the virus?

Guess it was bound to happen. Have fifty roses and guess I'm been lucky, unless some have it already and aren't showing the signs yet. Depressing. CJ

Comments (19)

  • 16 years ago

    I don't, and won't, do anything unless the rose starts to decline. I have at least three in the yard that have shown symptoms in the past, but they continue to thrive after 10+ years.

  • 16 years ago

    Re: "the" mosaic patterning-- there are many patterns, including random yellow splotches. Yes, you could keep a rose 10 years without noticing virus symptoms.

    Most people don't do anything as long as the plant is performing well. I removed one this year that seemed to be declining after 10 years of being pretty good.

    It probably has a bigger impact in zones where heavy winter damage commonly happens.

  • 16 years ago

    My Sweet Surrender has it but hasn't ever seemed weakened by it. There are times when there isn't a sign of it. Since it does not spread I let her continue on.

    Allison

  • 16 years ago

    Let's say "since it very rarely spreads" and avoid the recurrent squabble.

  • 16 years ago

    It can remain dormant in a plant then appear if the plant is stressed.
    I do as most of those above. As long as the bush grows well and blooms, it stays.
    If you can't stand the leaf patterns, have a perfect leaf phobia, or the bush declines, then remove it.

  • 16 years ago

    All clones of Rose de Rescht have RMV. The cure for RMV cannot be used on RdR because the heat treatment kills the patient. Just do not prune RdR and then move onto another rose.

  • 16 years ago

    RMV is not the name of a specific virus. It is a group name for a number of different viruses that infect roses. It is possible that you have 2 different virus infections in your garden.

    Here is a link that might be useful: example

  • 16 years ago

    I don't replace them either. There are so many that can only be found now with RMV that I'd have a hard time doing it anyway. Besides that in my cold zone they usually will just not come back from a winter when they've weakened sufficiently so I just dig them out then.

  • 16 years ago

    - I would pass on the information to the nursery from which you bought your R. de R. and send them a photo of the mosaic'd foliage. I believe that an ethical nursery owner would want to know about infected stock.
    - If it has reduced flower production and you wish to replace it now, and you found it to be quite a bother to pay for, plant and dig up that rosebush, it might be worth a try telling this to the folks at the nursery and ask if they'd replace it with another rose cultivar, at a discount.

    Lux.

  • 16 years ago

    You have two choices: live with it, or dig them up and throw them out.

    I've never seen RMV symptoms on my RdR, but I assume it is infected. I've read that all RdRs are infected. It's a nice rose, but remember there are thousands of commercially available varieties of roses out there. If you don't like roses with RMV, use it as an excuse to toss them and try some new ones. So many roses, so little time!

  • 16 years ago

    One of the most common viruses in the RMV group is PNRSV. It is a temperature sensitive virus. See http://home.roadrunner.com/~kuska/info_about_virus.htm
    for details.

    I suggest a modification to michaelg's post on Tue, Oct 13, 09 at 15:49, he stated: "Let's say "since it very rarely spreads" and avoid the recurrent squabble."

    I suggest: "Lets say "since it probably very rarely spreads in warm climates, unless planted close to diseased roses. The following research has been reported: "Virus spread was observed in multiple trials in which healthy bushes were planted in close proximity (approximately 30 cm) to virus infected bushes. After one year, approximately 10% of the healthy plants became infected. After two years, rate of virus spread ranged from 0% to 48% to depending on virus strain and rose variety.". In this quoted University of California, Davis study
    ( http://www.actahort.org/books/751/751_26.htm )
    , the viruses are thought to spread underground, (possibly by the formation of root-to root grafts).
    ---------------------------------
    I feel that rose virus research in cooler parts of the country is needed before northern gardeners can confidently decide what actions/precautions to take.

    The second post in the following thread describes some of the present rose virus research being done in a northern climate:
    http://www.rosehybridizers.org/forum/message.php?topid=23447&rc=2&ui=2316041392

    Here is a link that might be useful: link for on going northern climate research

  • 16 years ago

    You will be unable to do anything about it - it's a root stock thing. It is not contagious to the rest of your plants. If you don't show, it doesn't really matter all that much, because only the foliage will be affected. As time goes on, bloom size will diminish, and eventually, you will have to shovel prune the bush and replace it. Just be sure the next go round that your plants are certified as virus free.

  • 16 years ago

    But I would imagine then that if you do shovel prune it, you wouldn't be able to replant a rose in the same spot? Even if you think you got out all of the roots? Could be some left to reinfect?

  • 16 years ago

    kentstar, one technique that may give you some guidence is to look for what the recommendations are from those who have the same virus(s) in plants where more research has been done due to the plants being food crops.

    Here is one example:

    http://plant-disease.ippc.orst.edu/disease.cfm?RecordID=1313

    Here is a link that might be useful: Cherry recomendations

  • 16 years ago

    Lets hope that Rose de Rescht can be cleaned by liquid nitrogen freezing with tissue cultue regeneration:

    Here is a link that might be useful: link for above

  • last month

    Sigh..I believe I pruned my RdR awhile back and never cleaned my cutters 🤦‍♂️

  • last month

    Ian, you're not going to infect other roses with RMV just by using your pruning equipment without sterilizing between plants. It has been shown that there is a near-zero chance of transmitting PNRSV that way.

  • last month

    Seriously? Heck yeah. RMV is a field I'm quite ignorant in so thank you.