According to someone that knows about what ..
they speak.
"rosette disease", a virus, has been around since just after the civil war. It is spread by some mite which can be wind carried or ride on birds. While it does not infect the soil, root fragments from infected plants can still carry the virus. Its primary host and source is Multiflora rose. From 1930 until late 1960s, the U.S. Soil Conservation Service recommended planting this. In fact gave a lot away to be planted. Currently there are no chemical controls for the virus that causes rose rosette disease.
There are 3 miticide sprays that can help but need to be alternated to avoid resistant build up; Avid, Akari and Judo along with horticultural oil.
Some wild roses appear to resistant.
Jill says the mid west is being hit the hardest, but that it has been moving west to east over the years. She says that when it finally gets to the east coast, then "those fools" will start caring about it. She does have a way with words.
