Yes, absolutely. Dig it up and throw it in the garbage (not compost) as soon as possible.

Thank you for responding. How much of the surrounding soil should I get rid of when digging them up? Is there any way to prevent this?

I would like to replace them because with them gone, I will have gaping holes in my rose beds. Though I suppose I should probably wait until spring to do this? Especially given that we are still seeing the Japanese beetles.

Yes, without a doubt it is rrd. It looks as thou the Jb's still enjoyed the leaves. On your last rose photo it appears to have been infected for a while.I would remove that one If it were mine. The others you might try taking off the infected cane. Then watch very carefully for any more signs. Attempt to carefully remove the cane as gently as possible. I'm sorry you're going threw this.

You don't need to remove any soil. The virus can't survive in the soil. Try to get all the roots. Waiting till spring is a good idea. They will have all the new roses in the stores. For future prevention, don't plant the bushes too close together and watch for signs regularly. If you get it early you can remove one cane and possibly save the bush.

There is no need to remove any soil it is not contaminated with the virus.The only problem could be if the virus made it into the roots . That is the reason for removing as much root as possible. So that the root does not regrow.

You will be able to replant that is not a problem. Keep a close eye on your roses if you can see it very early taking just the cane off tends to work well/

Thanks for the replies Buford and Patty.

I will definitely remove rose #3 completely. Though I am a bit confused about rose #1 and rose #2 now. Should I take a risk and remove just the single cane that has the visible signs of RRD? Or is it better to be on the safe side and just remove the entire plant? Of course if I can save them that would be preferable.

If I do only remove the effected cane on #1 and #2, do I run the risk of the other roses in the bed coming down with RRD? As of right now, those roses appear to be perfectly healthy with no signs of RRD. I'd hate to chance it.

This just sucks because these are mature roses with really pretty shapes. UGH!! Is there anything at all I can do moving forward to prevent this? I've always considered myself to be someone who stays on top of maintaining the roses, so I was floored to see this when I was watering.

It's like everything happened at once between several days of rain and then the !@#$ beetles came out of nowhere. I've tried various solutions to combat the beetles but nothing really works 100% yet.

Butting in, that third photo of yours gave me nightmares last night. Did you see Japanese Beetles feeding on the newer leaves there?

I don't think I've ever before seen a pattern of older leaves untouched by JBs, and newest leaves totally destroyed.

I know in the wild, deer have a special fondness for the really fresh succulent growth of Rose Rosette infected Rosa multiflora. Often I've seen the sick parts eaten down where the growth is freshest, but often they leave the older aberrant growth.

That center cane in the bottom picture with a wider cane emerging from it...and the leaves that the new cane supported....There wouldn't have been much JB pheromones left after that level of skeletonizing.

Comments?

Ann

Ann,

I'm confused. The rose you are referencing is being dug up because of RRD. I've written it off at this point.

tctb013,

I ask because I have an interest in Rose Rosette and when I see things that are different, I try to find out as much as I can about what happened. I've been collecting info on RRD for over 15 years, and this is the first time I've seen anything like your picture.
I agree totally with your removing the rose.
But maybe this selective skeletonizing will tell us something about what is happening inside the leaves to attract the JBs selectively.

Ann

My Rose Rosette E-book

tctb, There are three ways to approach this. On the other two roses you can cut the bad stem to the ground and remain vigilant. You can cut the entire rose to the ground.and wait to see what grows back. Or remove the entire bush.

If you do not know how long it has been infected just cut the rose to the ground it will grow back. When the roots are infected the rose will grow back very ugly. Then you will know that it must be removed.

It is odd indeed as jbs tend not to like knockouts. The only roses I ever had that they totally skeletonized where 2 old garden roses. Once the beetles came out there was nothing left.

Sorry for the delayed response. It has been a very hectic past few days!

Dumb question. Is RRD contagious? Meaning if I try the wait and see approach (by removing only the impacted canes instead of digging up the whole plant) with the roses who don't seem to have it as bad yet.....will I take a risk that somehow the RRD could get transmitted to the roses who don't have it? I would hate to lose any of the seemingly healthy roses by doing this.

Moving forward, is there anything I can do to lessen the chances of the roses getting RRD?

This summer Japanese beetles have been widespread in this area. Honestly, I can't ever remember them being this bad before now...or ever even seeing them really. I know of several other people who have knockout roses here and everyone is having the same problem with the Japanese beetles feasting on them. So as bad as it may sound, I can take some solace in knowing it is not just my roses that are getting hit. Is there anything I can spray on the roses to prevent Japanese beetles from attacking them?

If it were my garden - I wouldn't take a chance on trying to save one or two knockout roses. I would remove them completely. On the bright side, it's your chance to perhaps try a new rose instead!

On the comment of JB's & knockouts. They decimate them in my area, I've seen a lot of damage to double knockouts in my neighbourhood. The first rose they feast on in my garden is sunny knockout, the second is a tie between St. Patrick & Strike It Rich.

If you do nothing else take those infected canes off right away. Rrd is not contagious. The mite that gave your roses rrd is still on the bush. It is relatively easy for the wind to blow them onto other roses. In the delay it also gives the virus time to spread to the root system of your rose. Then there is no choice of what to do. The rose will need dug out. After 4 days since posting and at least 1 day before being noticed. I would definitely recommend cutting the whole bush down to get rid of the mites. Make sure you remove it from your yard as soon as it is cut. Carry it inside of something like a bag so that the mites do not blow onto another of your roses.

Another thing the reason the mite or mites are still on your rose is to feed and reproduce. Making lots more little mites that will feed on the sick rose.

Does anyone know about the eggs from a rrd infected mite. Are they already infected at birth. I know they will become infected once they feed. I'm just curious.

AARGH! I had a nice response typed and then it disappeared!! I'll try to remember what I wrote here.

I think I'll just go ahead and remove them completely. Like you said Halloblondie, I don't want to chance it. Doesn't mean I am any less frustrated though.

Moving forward, is there anything I can do to prevent RRD? If I am not mistaken, the mites are impossible to see with the human eye right as they are microscopic?

How far should knockouts be cut back in the late fall (before frost of course)? Or should they be cut back?

Have you all found anything that wards off the Japanese beetles? I know the beetle traps are a big NO but wondered if there was any spray or something that might work.

Ok...off to dig up the roses. (sighs loudly)...wish me luck! :)