Thanks, Henry.

Henry, I've talked with Alma and her major professor about her thesis. It's one of those written as chapters suitable for publication. Both told me that the two (of four total) that deal with RRD (then) are the two published in Weed Science with several co-authors. Can your library access Weed Science? If not, let me know. Cutting off an infected cane HAS to be done before the virus moves down into the roots (assuming stem meristem infection) and back out. I've saved several roses from different classes in my yard by catching the problem when only a single leaf node (or three on one side of the cane) were infected in fall. I saved an American Pillar in spring when it was out on a cane about ten feet from the roots. I've never saved a HT, and I've only seen RRD on HTs in spring. That may have something to do with the transmission times in fall to late fall. The one thing that (I don't think) has been addressed is what it is about RRD that ultimately kills the host rose. Epstein and Hill reported a lack of sugar to starch conversion in long infected canes. The odd thing that I watched this year was that some roses I've watched for four years finally got down to scrawney, skinny leaves often with PM and then they died in May (which was not a time of drought or too much rain- just really nice weather.) We know from Glen Viehmeyer and Percy Wright that both saw RRD overwinter in the colder parts of Canada. I don't think we know much about temperature and the whole batch of EMARviruses.

The follwing was stated by jokewing: "jJust wondering why henry kuska ONLY makes posts having to do with diseases and death? Has anyone else noticed this? Why is he even worried about roses if the thinks they are so disease ridden? " H.Kuska comment: Jockewing, perhaps your own post is a good explanation as to why I feel knowledge about what is known/unknown about rose diseases is important. "Posted by jockewing 9a (My Page) on Thu, Jul 4, 13 at 16:18 Yes Thornton, I hope you are right. With the amazing science we have today, I'm surprised more roses with such qualities have not been released. It just baffles me that the most beautiful flower we are able to grow is plagued with so many problems. Why must that be? There are so many beautiful plants that are such a breeze, but in my opinion nothing is so special as a classic hybrid tea rose. Why must they be plagued with so many diseases and pests? I admire the Knockouts, but I just don't think they are beautiful except perhaps in mass plantings from a distance, say at a commercial building or along the highway. We want giant flowered hybrid teas with the same vigor!!! It really makes me sad that virtually NO ONE I know in my area grows any classic hybrid teas at all, with may the exception of a few here or there, usually in an older neighborhood." http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/roses/msg0715030426702.html ----------------------------------------------- Additional H.Kuska comment: If you are interested in my other contributions to rose growing why not do a Google search with the search terms: "Henry Kuska" and roses or you could get a partial view at the following thread: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/roses/msg0411322117173.html Here is a link that might be useful: link to earlier thread This post was edited by henry_kuska on Sun, Oct 20, 13 at 16:33

As the originator of the one cane removal technique, I can tell that it works sometimes. Sometimes is a whole lot better than never. One scientist has said to me that how can you tell it doesn't come back. I have responded to him, after ten years of good healthy growth, that should be enough. I don't think it works for fall infected hybrid teas as I didn't save any of mine that got fall infections that I saw the following spring. The other thing I do is check with a microscope to see if the infected bush is teaming with eriophyid mites. Mine aren't. I don't use insecticide or acaricides and I see beneficials at the microscopic and visbile to the naked eye sizes. Here's my ebook about RRD/RRv for those who haven't seen it before. Rose Rosette E-book Ann