| Can a plant be saved? |
| When we saw the first sick cane on ‘Seven Sisters', we cut it off at ground level. We left the bush because our other rose beds are not near that plant. Because of the bush's age, this was a rare case when rogueing out the plant was not the first course of action. In early stages, especially on large bushes, RRD can be regarded as a disease of one or two canes and their roots, rather than of the entire bush. Infected mites blow from cane to cane spreading the infection and infection moves down the canes to the roots from where it spreads to the entire plant. Once infection reaches the interconnected roots, nothing can be done to save the plant. |
| A desparate attempt may split the sick roots from the healthy roots (and the canes that they support.) Either a hammer and wood chisel or even a chain saw may work to isolate the healthy side of the rose. |
| (This does work better with own root roses than with grafted roses whose bud unions are more contorted.) |
| Dr. Philley has said there may be up to a 50% chance to save a mature bush if caught early. Even with those odds, I wouldn’t take the chance unless it’s a very special plant. If I am too cautious, and don't remove the plant, a source of infection remains in my garden. Think of the potential cost of trying to save that one plant. Make sure the rose is worth it. Our 'Seven Sisters' was rogued in mid-March, 2001, when contorted growth emerged on more canes. |