knockout roses leaf misshapen and mottled - Ask Extension
Please let me know what you think is causing the leaves on my knockout roses to have this sort of weird lumpy texture and color. The location is Dento...
Knowledgebase
knockout roses leaf misshapen and mottled #622000
Asked April 07, 2020, 4:25 PM EDT
Please let me know what you think is causing the leaves on my knockout roses to have this sort of weird lumpy texture and color. The location is Denton Maryland rural area near farmer fields and it's only a few leaves on the plant at this point. Thanks.
Caroline County Maryland
Expert Response
Given the appearance of the foliage as well as the timing and location (near farm fields), we strongly suspect this is herbicide drift damage. (Though if weed killers were used in your yard in this area, that also explains the symptoms.) Drift occurs when wind or water move the chemical beyond the boundaries of where it was applied. Certified applicators are trained to avoid drift and in general should not be applying pesticides on breezy or wet days. Nothing can be done about damaged tissue except to let the plant outgrow it in time. You can prune off the distorted stems or leave them; it's your choice and won't impact the roses in any measurable way.
Miri
Miri