Yep - a wide variety of roses that are grafted have inherited the rose mosaic virus from the original plant or the graft. I don't bother with it as it only shows sometimes and mostly doesn't seem to affect the vigor of the plant unless it's wimpy or outside of its zone to start with.

I pretend that I wanted those variegated leaves and just go ahead with it. There are some places where you can buy virus-treated plants but they're uncommon for most roses. There are some roses that you simply expect to have RMV and they do OK.

Cynthia

Interesting! So it won’t necessarily have symptoms every year or all year?

It'll always have RMV as an underlying condition but whether it shows on the leaves is variable. I don't know all the things that influence whether it shows up but I presume weather is one of the factors. Those particular leaves will obviously always show the RMV but later leaves might not. It's something to watch and ponder if it's something you can live with.

Cynthia

I've never had a problem living with it, but my roses were not affected as far as vigor and blooming, and only a few leaves showed the virus in spring. Are you watering this plant enough? The ground looks so dry. Diane

It looks *very* infected, and worse for winter. I've had a couple of roses that looked like that, and they went downhill fast. Don't be shocked if most of the cane above the bend dies off.

I would sure think the vigor has been infected with mine as my other roses have much more growth than this one. I’d kind of prefer it die off rather than limp along with few blooms and minimal growth!!

Im sure it was time for watering, however its not as bad as it looks! the very top layer of soil is ProMix potting soil but the roots are down in heavier soil that holds the moisture much better! And it conveniently rained today so i dont even have to water until it dries out again!