Rose rosette virus (RRV) does not stay in the soil itself, but it can persist in live roots that remain in the soil from previously infected roses. This means that if you have had roses infected with RRV in your garden in the past, the virus may still be present in the live roots of those plants that were left in the soil.
It is important to note that RRV is primarily transmitted by an eriophyid mite, which is a tiny insect-like creature. These mites can easily move from one rose plant to another, spreading the virus as they feed on the plant’s sap. This means that even if you remove infected roses from your garden, the mites may still be present and can transmit the virus to healthy roses.
Grafting is another way in which RRV can be transmitted. If you have grafted roses in your garden, there is a risk of the virus being passed on from an infected scion (the top part of the graft) to a healthy rootstock.
Once the virus is introduced into a rose plant, it becomes systemic, meaning it spreads throughout the entire plant, including the roots. This makes it difficult to control and eliminate the virus once it has infected a rose.
In my personal experience, I have encountered cases where rose rosette virus has affected multiple roses in a garden. Even after removing the infected plants, new roses that were planted in the same area later showed symptoms of RRV. This suggests that the virus was still present in the soil, possibly in the live roots of previously infected roses that were not completely removed.
To prevent the spread of RRV, it is important to practice good garden hygiene. This includes removing and destroying any infected roses, including their roots, to prevent the virus from persisting in the soil. It is also advisable to regularly inspect your roses for any signs of the virus, such as distorted growth, excessive thorns, and abnormal red coloration. Early detection can help prevent the virus from spreading to other roses.
Additionally, controlling the population of eriophyid mites can help reduce the transmission of RRV. This can be done by regularly spraying roses with an appropriate insecticide, following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
While rose rosette virus does not stay in the soil itself, it can persist in live roots of previously infected roses that remain in the soil. It is primarily transmitted by eriophyid mites and can also be spread through grafting. Practicing good garden hygiene and controlling mite populations are important steps in preventing the spread of RRV.
