Witches Broom on roses - Ask Extension
I was asked if the roses pictured had witches broom
Knowledgebase
Witches Broom on roses #201906
Asked July 24, 2014, 6:37 AM EDT
I was asked if the roses pictured had witches broom
Ingham County Michigan
Expert Response
It appears that the rose has a virus called rose rosette. Witches brooms are only one symptom of this fatal disease. Roses with rose rosette exhibit:
Red leaves and possibly twigs
Leaves are distorted and twisted
Excessive leaves
Possibly excessive or large thorns
Ends of branches may have witches brooms
This is a virus belonging to a new group of Emaraviruses. It is transmitted by tiny Eriophyid mites. Roses decline and die but are also capable of passing it to other roses. This is not a fixable problem. The best idea is to destroy the plant, especially if you have other roses that are unaffected.
Oklahoma State University has done a great deal of research on rose rosette. If you look online, look for information from them.
Red leaves and possibly twigs
Leaves are distorted and twisted
Excessive leaves
Possibly excessive or large thorns
Ends of branches may have witches brooms
This is a virus belonging to a new group of Emaraviruses. It is transmitted by tiny Eriophyid mites. Roses decline and die but are also capable of passing it to other roses. This is not a fixable problem. The best idea is to destroy the plant, especially if you have other roses that are unaffected.
Oklahoma State University has done a great deal of research on rose rosette. If you look online, look for information from them.