Watch out.....Weeks Rose crown galled!
Moses, Pittsburgh, W. PA., zone 5/6, USA
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
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ac91z6
6 years agoMoses, Pittsburgh, W. PA., zone 5/6, USA
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoRelated Discussions
Do you throw them out when they get root/crown gall?
Comments (8)I grow Nicotiana, flowering tobacco, of many varieties all over the place here and have never seen galls on any. (By the way, if you teach plant biology and want a surefire, fast-acting pollen for pollen-germination exercises, Nicotiana never fails.) The bacteria is around, however, and I have had maybe three roses infected over 13 years here, two of which I discarded. The big (and I mean "big" in every sense of the word) is my 'Mrs. B.R. Cant', which started showing symptoms of crown gall (or something very like it!) about 8 years ago or so -- a big, crusty swelling at the base and then various "tumors" along the canes. My heart sank. I kept meaning to take her out, but delayed and delayed because she occupies a large amount of real estate (being 8' tall and more than 14' wide now) in a prominent position on a hillside, which I would then have to re-do (sigh), plus I absolutely love her. And, anyway, she has never seemed to suffer any decline in growth, bloom, or overall appearance during all this time (which I keep waiting for, but it hasn't happened yet), so there she stays, the exception to the "rule"....See MoreCrown Gall Questions
Comments (20)The galls are actually the plant's response to the bacterium's presence in the past. Whether it continues to exist in your soil or not, I don't know. It appears very common and wide spread in the desert south west, perhaps other areas too. Supposedly, what is required is a wound at or below the soil level to permit the bacteria entry into the plant. Therefore, it would seem unwise to prune roots when planting or to influence a plant's performance. It would also seem very unwise to "cultivate" your garden soil anywhere there may be rose feeder roots as those "wounds" could, potentially permit any bacteria entry into the plant. Similarly, "companion plantings" might also be potentially damaging, particularly in established rose beds. Digging a hole, of any size, could result in "wounded" rose roots, providing entry to possible infection by the bacterium. And, what about gopher vole or mole damage to the roots? Moles may not eat the roots, but they do dig through them and can cause "wounds" to root tissue. There are instructions all over suggesting you remove and replace the soil from a spot where a galled plant has been removed, though if it's possible the bacterium exists in your soil, what benefit would there be to replacing that soil in that spot? And, could the situation be similar to that of RMV, where, though you've never SEEN symptoms, the causal agent has been present for a long time prior to the expression of symptoms? I can't give you absolute answers, but I do raise these other questions to possibly point out that, other than using something like Galltrol and insuring there will never be any damage to the rose tissues where they may become infected, there really may not be much, if anything, you can do to prevent galls....See MoreSpeaking of crown gall
Comments (45)Patty - they are not grown at the same farm. Most of the on-line own root nurseries root their own roses then direct stick in bands. They do get some stock from Greenheart at times, but many do their own propagation from stock plants they have on site. We restocked Greenheart with all new cuttings this spring from our stock of Kordes. The reason to do this is to make sure the genetics are still fresh and to make sure we have clean stock every 2 years or so. We and Greenheart spend a lot of time and $ on the project. rifis yes I mean roses. We grow about 5 acres of stock and research roses. We do harvest plants to send to growers that need the genetics, to introduce new varieties and to send for testing and/or to botanical gardens. This is when we are looking for the galls. We also have had materials tested at Oregon State for crown gall in stems too. Patty I do not know how you received so many plants. I am still not clear on where you bought the plants with gall. Sounds like it was pretty variety specific. Please understand that crown gall exists in a very wide range of soils in N. America. The contamination could of happened anywhere in the chain of production. It can also exist in garden soils. It has always been a problem in roses. That said producers need to use the very best clean plant techniques to minimize the problem but I do not believe it can always be 100% prevented....See MorePossible Crown Gall from Jackson Perkins
Comments (6)Lu T -good they issued you a credit. I know where those roses were grown and we have seen this phenomena before and had it tested by a University. It was not crown gall. Our thought was that these own roots are pushed to grow so hard in the one year production that they are making these kind of root spurs These plants are put in the ground as rooted cuttings and harvested in about a year. They use underground irrigation with fertilizer injection to achieve this quick growth. We noted that some varieties seem more likely to make this type of root growth and when we tested similar shrubs the bumps actually develop into new roots in a few weeks. It is good to put the plants in pots and watch them. If it is crown gall then you will see the development of actual galls like the picture Thistle has above, but I think you will find that these roses are actually healthy and perhaps you can plant them with confidence this fall or next spring. You are right that crown gall has been a big problem the past few years. It is usually spread when a plant is wounded and comes in contact with the bacteria such as when the plant is pruned or when the roots are cut at harvest. While it can be transmitted by insects I don't think this is the most common way the disease is spread. So disinfecting your shears during the pruning process when you suspect crown gall is present is a good idea....See Moreac91z6
6 years agoMoses, Pittsburgh, W. PA., zone 5/6, USA
6 years ago
Lilyfinch z9a Murrieta Ca
6 years agoac91z6
6 years agorifis (zone 6b-7a NJ)
6 years agoMoses, Pittsburgh, W. PA., zone 5/6, USA
6 years ago
dan8_gw (Northern California Zone 9A)
6 years agoMoses, Pittsburgh, W. PA., zone 5/6, USA
6 years agorifis (zone 6b-7a NJ)
6 years agodan8_gw (Northern California Zone 9A)
6 years ago
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