The devastation is drastic, and there are even warnings not to touch other roses as the mites may get on your clothing - spreading the disease.

I don't have time to figure out how to do a link, but thought this article might be of interest to those here who are not in the Tulsa area, but are near.

The name of the newspaper is: Tulsa World, and the article is two pages in the Scene section.

THis is really sad.

Sammy

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/tulsa-rose-bushes-fall-victim-to-deadly-disease/article_90de3fef-72ee-59d7-b6bb-1d0e646f59d8.html

My question is whether they used the PCR test to confirm that it is the virus and not the effects of herbicide use (like weed and feed type products or Round-Up) on the near by lawns or even in the rose beds.

It was pretty and very old. I feel positive that the people in charge were well educated, but in the heat of Tulsa, I am not sure what the workers did when they needed to hurry. I really don't know what if any tests they might have run.

It is part of a park where there are picnic tables and pretty paths in the shade. Our rose society always urged members to help prune because I don't think many workers did the pruning, but I am thinking of what I've heard in a 20 period, not especially recently.

I have heard people talk about Knock Outs, and the devastation that has come from some of them, but I have not heard the comments from those who I think are credible.

It is hard to find people to volunteer to work in the gardens when it is so hot. Around here those who can take the heat are not too interested in roses. That leaves the older people like me who just cannot take the heat.
Thank you, Rosefolly.

Sammy