On Thu, 13 Nov 2003 18:25:10 -0500 (EST), "Shiva"
wrote:

dave weil wrote:

Yes, dear friends, I have witches broom on my rather extensive and
sprawling Old Blush climber. Here's the evidence.

http://www.pbase.com/image/23272504
http://www.pbase.com/image/23272556

I'm rather down about it at the moment. I'm assuming that this 20 foot
rose bush has to go, right?

Please, somebody tell me I'm wrong.

Please.


Dave, this is just sickening. That is unmistakably
Rose Rosette Disease or "Witch's Broom" as you
mentioned. There is a great deal of information
on this at Gardenweb, you can do a search. I think you
have to get it out of there and burn it, and I am
pretty sure your other roses may be in danger.

Do you have any multiflora around? Do you know what
it looks like? I have mistaken it for blackberry--which
is in the same family. It makes masses of sweet-smelling,
tiny white blooms. It is the rose that carries this
mite-born disease. I'm so sorry you have this in
your nice garden, Dave.

You know, I did a little research and I might just have an out
(maybe).

Apparently, a similar type of growth can be seen resulting from
herbicide damage, specifically Roundup for one. While I haven't used
any Roundup in the area that I can remember, this is the plant that
had some damage from the NEEM oil that I sprayed on it in the early
summer. Some of you who have been around a while remember when I
reported that. The plant got purple bruising at the time. I wonder if
this could be the cause? Anyone know how to distinguish rosette from
herbicide damage growth? I saw some messages where they talked about
it, but I wasn't able to figure out what to look for.

I'd appreciate any guidance...