Thank you, Ann! I appreciate your prompt reply and good advice which I will convey to my friend. Oil is a relatively easy, harmless, and practical solution. I was sure there must be some alternative to burning and burying.

This friend has a Jaune Desprez that arrived in September which he has kept inside all winter. I advised not putting it out until he had dealt with the infected rose. He says he's not worried because he can put it on the other side of the house. I tried, without success I fear, to convince him that the other side of the house is not protection. I explained that these mites were moved by air currents and too small to see.

I brought a potted rose inside yesterday for isolation observation. I don't think it's infected--I suspect just weak but it does have very small green leaves that look normal and very little foliage overall. I broke some of its roots when I moved its pot in February. It produced one bloom in May which looked normal, but when I am not sure I don't like to take a chance. I have cut and bagged canes I didn't like more than once although it turned out there was no infection.

Lindsey

I've just talked to him. I told him I thought a liquid detergent would work as a spreading agent with vegetable oil--hope that's right.

Lindsey

Since you're going to be watching your roses extra carefully, keep this in mind. (This is my idea and not from the millions that have been spent on research). Infection happens at the point where a mite feeds on a leaf bud. That bud's growth will show damageand the virus is moved down that side of the cane . The key word is down.

If you see something 'wrong' out on the cane, cut that cane off as low as you can. I came up with needing three things to pronounce a death sentence: aberrant growth, unexpected growth and excessive growth.

Good luck.

Yes to the detergent, (If he has an immersion blender, that's a good way to make an emulsion.)

Thank you---that's good advice. I think from what you said my friend's rose might meet all three of your criteria. He says he could dig it up if necessary. I could not dig up mine nor could anyone else. I have three as well as Awakening--they are all wider than they are tall and quite thick. If I had known about Rose Rosette years ago I would never have planted any big, thorny roses.

If a big rose has to be removed, what about soaking the infected canes with oil, making a deep pile of the normal-looking canes and covering it with plastic or an old sheet? How long would it take before the remains ceased to pose a threat?

Lindsey

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