Why Do My Knock Out Rose Bushes Have Rose Rosette?

There was a time when it appeared that Knock Out roses might just be immune to the dreaded Rose Rosette Virus (RRV). That hope has been seriously dashed. This virus has been found in Knock Out rose bushes for some time now. Let’s learn more about what to do for Knock Out roses with Rose Rosette.

Why Do My Knock Out Rose Bushes Have Rose Rosette?

Some research says that the carrier of this dreaded virus is the eriophyid mite, a very tiny wingless mite that is easily moved about by the wind. Other researchers are not so sure the mite is the real culprit. Where bushes are planted closely together, such as the case with landscape roses like Knock Outs, the disease seems to spread like wildfire! Due to the popularity of the Knock Out roses, a bigger emphasis has been placed on finding a cure and trying to identify the real culprit that spreads the virus. Once a rose bush contracts the nasty virus, it is said to have Rose Rosette Disease (RRD) forever, as so far there is no known cure for the disease. The informational sheets published by some of the research universities state that the infected rose bush should be removed and destroyed immediately. Any roots left in the soil will still be infected, thus no new roses are to be planted in the same area until we can be assured that no more roots exist in the soil. If any shoots come up in the area where diseased bushes have been removed, they are to be dug out and destroyed.

What Does Rose Rosette Look Like on Knock Outs?

Some of the most recent findings from research on this terrible disease seems to point to roses with Asian heritage being the most susceptible to it. The devastation that the disease brings with it shows itself in varying ways.

• New growth is often elongated with a bright red coloration. The new growth is bunched up at the end of the canes, an appearance that brought about the name Witches Broom.
• The leaves are typically smaller, as are the buds and blooms that are distorted.
• The thorns on the infected growth are typically more abundant and at the start of the new growth cycle, are softer than the normal thorns.

Once infected, RRD seems to open up the door for other diseases. The combined attacks weaken the rose bush to the point that it will usually die within two to five years. Some of the researchers tell us that the best way to avoid the disease is to inspect the bushes well when purchasing. The disease seems to show itself well in early June, so look for signs of the bunched up growth with a red to red/maroon blend to it. Keep in mind that the new growth on many rose bushes will be a deep red to maroon color. However, the new growth on an infected rosebush will look distorted/disfigured compared to the foliage on others. There are times when someone spraying an herbicide may have some of the spray drift over onto the rose foliage. The damage the herbicide does may look very much like Rose Rosette but the telltale difference is the intense red stem color. Herbicide damage will usually leave the stem or upper cane green.

Rose Rosette Control on Knock Outs

Conrad-Pyle, the parent company of Star Rose, which breeds the Knock Out rose bushes, and Nova Flora, the breeding division of Star Roses and Plants, are working with researchers around the country to attack the virus/disease in two ways.

• They are breeding resistant species and educating those within the industry about best management practices.
• Being ever vigilant of all rose plants and removing infected plants immediately is of extreme importance. Pulling infected roses out and burning them is the best way to go so that they do not continue to infect the rose world.

Some studies have been done concerning pruning out the diseased portions of a bush; however, the disease has shown that it will just move to a lower section of the same bush. Thus, heavy pruning to remove the diseased portions just does not work. The folks at Nova Flora are living proof that vigilance to removing any plant that has even a hint of Rose Rosette does work. It is recommended that the Knock Out rose bushes be planted so that their foliage is not packed tightly together. They will still bush out and provide a grand and colorful display of blooms. Don’t be afraid to prune Knock Outs back to keep some space between them if they do start to grow closer. It is far better for the overall health of the bushes to allow them some free air space.