There are a few visible signs that your rose has this disease. One way to tell is by looking at the tips of the branches or canes to see if they have "witch's broom" growth. Witch's broom growth is when there is a profusion of red new growth or disfigured flower buds, or a profusion of thorns. Also, the leaves will have an elongated, strappy look. If you see any sign of this type of growth, go get a shovel-fast. There is nothing available to spray, and pruning that tip off will not get rid of the disease. If left unchecked, the virus will not only kill your rose, but will spread to all of the other roses in the area. That might include your neighbor's bushes too. Entire mass plantings with 200 plus roses have been completely decimated due to this virus.
Researchers are still trying to understand much about this virus. For instance, we don't know if the virus lies latent for a time period before showing symptoms, making it harder to control. We don't know if there are certain cultivars of roses that are more resistant to the virus than others. If that is the case, breeders could work on improved rose varieties. Researchers at the University of Tennessee are leading the way in these efforts. In the meantime, the only thing you can do is to check your roses periodically and be unmerciful about digging up diseased plants.
Disfigured flower buds- and lots of them in one place.
The virus takes its toll on the entire bed.
Strappy leaves, and a profusion of growth at the tip of the cane.
Witch's broom flower growth.
