Expert: Lynnette Callan - 7/4/2009

Question
Lynnette, I have a friend who has an established rose garden we live in Toledo ohio. 2yrs ago 1 rose started to get new shuts and they were covered with an over abundance of thorns and the bud on that stem was deformed other shuts were fine. Now this year 3 other roses on the other side of the bed have the same acurrance.  Is the due to the irregular weather in spring or is there something internally going on. I have done research and found nothing on this subject.  HELP! Thanks  Christine

Answer
I hope I am wrong but it could be the start of Rose Rosette. If it was only on one rose bush I would say with this weird spring weather we have had, I am getting questions pertaining to all sorts of strange growth on roses. It worries me that the other roses have got it too because it sounds like it has been spread. Rose Rosette is caused by a tiny mite which is spread on the wind and will infect any and all rose bushes near the first sick one. Here is a site that might be helpful to you. if that is not the problem and hopefully it isn't, because the roses should be dug out and burned. Usually the new growth is a red colour but not always on all roses. If it isn't Rose Rosette, then please get back to me.
http://www.ars.org/About_Roses/disease_rosette1.html