Jax, That fortuniana survived for a decade without catching a mite was the hope, that and its distance from R. multiflora on the part of both of its parents. I wasn't going for a genetic salvation, but I hoped that there might be a cultural barrier tied to the preferred growth times of banksia and laevigata. I had hoped that the 'off' growth cycle of fortuniana might be a saving grace, that it grows through winter when the mites aren't out. Mine was relatively dormant through summer, and post bloom spring pruning sufficed. An example is R. setigera which doesn't get RRD often, even though R. multifloras in the same fencerows (unsprayed with herbicides) get RRD rather easily. R. setigera just doesn't get 'that' large nor is it actively growing through summers here. Not exactly a cultural barrier , but a reduced propensity to contract the disease. There are so many instances where one rose appears to have avoided infection, and the more we know, we find that others of the same cultivar are infected. Wind tunnels with a speeded up wind speed are not practical at all (although they work). I have always expected RRD to infect all roses, but I had hoped that some barriers might exist in nature, a lesser propensity to infection for the ones that go to near dormancy in summer, ones who have a limited window of opportunity for the mites to feed on undifferentiated meristem tissue in axillary buds or at the ends of broken stems (the latter seems to be the problem here). Or maybe have really tight buds that the mite's feeder tube can't get through. As to a pest that will take out the eriophyid mite: it's out there and was described early on in the Allington, Staplin and Viehmeyer paper. The predators are conventional spider mites; in the isolation labs at the University of Nebraska they were trying to study the eriophyids, but spidermites kept getting in and destroying the eriophyid populations. Amrine and his students have also found some unnamed species of predaceous thrips will feed on erophyids AND thrips. I don't use insecticides or acaricids on my roses. I haven't in a long time.

gmom74, that is one hardy rose bush, and, yes, the thorns are horrid, but the rose is so beautiful. I've talked to a lady in Canada who grows it, don't know how it does in warmer climates. I always coveted the Lady Banks rose, which is a beautiful yellow one that spreads all over the place, but it is not hardy in my zone, it is for your zone. I guess you could try and see. They couldn't look worse than mine look right now after we transplanted them and they suffered severe setback. They are starting to put out new leaves even on the one plant that looked like it was a total goner. They are a once-bloomer, so if you could find something similar for your zone that blooms for a longer period, I think you might be happier with it. And I learned when I asked questions about it that it is only one r, named after the Harison who found it, patented or propagated it originally.

juanital, Between Park volunteering Help build a 12 lb. Mtn Howitzer Landscaping And building gates for clients I don't have a lot of extra time for building my duck / goose house, installing fences & gates, growing Organic fruits & veggies, building a tool shed, and small engine repair on the side. IF ONLY I HAD SOMETHING TO DO. LOL!! I'm tired Eric ps. I carry my camera in my left front pocket.

What a nice gesture and nice shot...My MIL did that...She would go to visit a friend and she'd visit everybody there in sight. She made a point to say hello or give a hug...or whatever they may want...So giving and thoughtful of you and your group...