Replanting after Rose Rosette Disease - Ask Extension
Hi, I had to remove a rose bush in November 2022 as it had contracted Rose Rosette Disease the year prior and had died from it. I believe the neighbor...
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Replanting after Rose Rosette Disease #865615
Asked April 23, 2024, 2:45 PM EDT
Hi, I had to remove a rose bush in November 2022 as it had contracted Rose Rosette Disease the year prior and had died from it. I believe the neighbor's rose bushes that it got it from have been removed (but I can't really know for certain). I have no other roses. There has been nothing planted in this area for the last 18 months. I just bought a new rose bush to replace the lost one and would like to plant it in the same spot as it is right in front of my house on a public sidewalk. Is it safe to plant this new rose bush there? Or is the virus still in the soil? Thank you!
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
The virus never inhabits the soil, so replanting in that regard is not a problem. The risk is that whatever source of the infected mites carrying the virus continues to spread them (airborne, they're so small and light) into the area to colonize a new rose plant. You can always take a chance and try a new rose to see how it fares. Pesticides used to kill the mites won't be too reliable since the mites would probably infect the rose prior to being killed by any treatments. Since the virus causing rose rosette doesn't infect non-rose plants, you could plant another shrub or perennial in its place instead of you feel that is the safer long-term option.
Miri
Miri
Okay this is very helpful. Thank you so much!
You're welcome!
