Who will be hurt by RRD?
All rose growers will be hurt by RRD, but some more than others. The ARS will be hurt with fewer members in RRD infected areas. People who live near large tracts with uncontrolled wild roses will be the big losers because they can’t control the source of infection.
Exhibitor pruning methods help. When bushes are kept cut back to maximize bloom size, they are less susceptible to RRD because of lower wind resistance. But, pruning encourages succulent growth and the mites are found in greatest numbers in the crevasses associated with new growth. Also, small roses have fewer resources and die quickly.
Open, vase shaped pruning does enable the grower to check for aberrant growth more easily. Old Garden Roses (OGRs) may not thrive with heavy pruning and the bushes tend toward magnificent massive growth. Such roses are at higher risk since they are wind breaks and it’s harder to see infection early. The only good news is that old large bushes with a single sick cane, if caught early, have a better chance of being saved.
People who salvage old abandoned roses get hit twice. Many of the roses they would have saved will die from RRD before being found. Salvagers must also be careful to bring only healthy roses into their gardens. A quarantine is prudent if you are not certain of any plant's health.