I noticed a similar patterns of growth on one of my Drifts but only one very small stem, at the tip. Kind of elongated, nothing else on this one though.

I had another one in a different location with actual RRD symptoms and I took it out.

But this elongation you show here...I am not sure what that is either.

Maybe some side effect of Powdery Mildew? My Drifts had it quite a bit this season.

The elongated pattern is curious, I've seen the same thing on one.

Artist - I saw your thread then went back out to double check my rose, there is no powdery mildew on this rose, now on blossomtime thats another story.

Moses - It does look like a new basal cane, the buds kinda looked like a witches broom so thats what alerted me to the dreaded possible RRD. I'll keep an eye on it.

Thank you both.

Haku … since rrd is pretty rare here I’d say keep an eye on it . I have some weird spring growth too , almost as if my feeding the rose gave the cane energy boost and the rest of the rose needed to catch up . I think it’ll be ok later in the spring for you !

Also I wanted to say when I Blossomtime it got powdery mildew in the worst ways each spring! It was bad

Haku, you might try a post with RRD in the title to get attention, maybe even a post that gives a shout to StillAnn in TN. She’s a RRD expert here on the forum. The elongated spray looks odd to me. The only clustered roses in my garden that have produced that kind of long, wavy, multi bud growth were Cecile Brunner and Perle d’Or. But I am not an expert in early stage RRD, which is what slightly abnormal tip growth would be. Are you in CA near Lilyfinch? It’s encouraging that RRD is rare in that area! If you lived in someplace like Dallas, TX, I’d say at the very least, cut the cane at the base and watch the plant closely. RRD is everywhere in Dallas (where I frequently visited family recently). I remember Ann and other sources saying that RRD starts at the top with the vector mite arrival and works its way down the infected cane(s), so quick action can possibly stop the spread and save a rose. Please do not worry just because I replied with my extra cautious two cents. What Moses said about basal canes and funky new growth is so true. I have just seen so much RRD that I‘d really lean into feedback from someone like Ann. Carol