| Rose mosaic, caused by
a virus, is found worldwide. Symptoms vary, but usually show up as
mosaic patterns or splotches of yellow and green on leaves. Flowers may
be mottled in color, a condition called flower breaking.
Leaf and flower symptoms may detract from the overall
quality of the plant. Infected plants may be more sensitive to winter
injury. Several rose growers in Colorado report problems with the virus;
they say symptoms are more prominent in some seasons than others. This
is because growing conditions change from year to year for roses. Plant
health, weather, varieties and other factors all can contribute to virus
symptoms. No evidence exists that this virus is transmitted by insect
transmission, therefore, appears to be limited to rooting a cutting and
root grafting.
The only way to control rose mosaic is to remove
infected plants. Because of limited effect on flowering, most people
leave the plant alone and ignore the virus. Management of rose mosaic
virus is through the use of virus-free stock.
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