Do you have a large yard? I understand that RRD is spread by a wind-borne mite. Do you have room to put up some kind of permeable windbreak fence that breaks but does not try to stop the wind, something with the density of a snow fence? It is possible that this could cause the mites to fall just inside the fence. There you could grow plants other than roses so the RRD virus has no host, perhaps your vegetable garden and fruit trees which would not be harmed. You could then grow roses with less risk in other parts of your garden.

Please be aware that this is only a theory I came up with thinking about the problem, and that as far as I know, no one has ever actually tried it. But if I lived in RRD country, and I had a large enough space, I would definitely give it a try myself. After all, what have you got to lose?

Rosefolly

Also the reddish growth that quickly turns to green seems to have come out even stronger.

But I can also assure you that RRD (RRv) does show on plants this early in the spring. We've had to remove one large rambler- in an oddly interesting turn, the cane that was sick last fall (late last fall) came out with even denser witches brooms this spring and newly infected (from the roots) canes don't have as dense witches brooms. I haven't had the heart to check out The Cherokee Rose- it was showing symptoms last fall late and isn't very close to other roses.

One design thing that we've done is prune the roses for open air flow. I hesistated on a beautiful James Galway and the dense part of it caught RRv. I waited two years to replace it (it is perfect for where it was planted) and this year it will be forced to be less dense.

I'm a bit worried about these hot temps early and when we get back to Knoxville, I will get out the microscope and check mite populations.

Ann

One rose from which I removed a diseased cane last fall has come back with RRD growth ... so it's outta here. Two more roses are showing early infection symptoms. One will be removed, and one I will attempt to propagate ... as it is rare and needs saving.

Back to the subject at hand ... a virus-infected bush here or there in your neighborhood is not as much a factor in RRD spread as the fencelines of feral roses on the roadsides or the mass plantings of Knock Out in nearly every commercial development and median. Be vigilant in your garden, and take action if symptoms appear.

Rose Rosette Disease is generally not the end of your rose garden (though there are cases where this has happened ... so sad.) I'm still expanding and planting and thoroughly looking forward to this year's rose season ... RRD will NOT defeat me OR my garden.

Connie

Also, I have never even heard of Rose Spring Dwarf. Guess it gives me something else to be on the look out for. As always, thank you for the information.

Andrew