New Zealand rose virus research publication 2013

"The samples were tested by RT-PCR for 17 viruses known to infect roses. Of the 89 samples tested, 48 % were infected with Rose cryptic virus-1, 22 % with Prunus necrotic ringspot virus, 20 % with Rose spring dwarf-associated virus, 10 % with Rose yellow vein virus, 2 % with Arabis mosaic virus and 35 % of the samples tested negative. The viruses were detected in some samples as single infections and sometimes as mixed infections (2 or 3 viruses together). Viruses were detected in all regions sampled in both the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Rose cryptic virus-1 and Rose spring dwarf associated virus were detected for the first time in New Zealand and Rose yellow vein virus, which had only been recently detected in 2011, was found to be widespread."


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That is scary Henry. I wonder if similar tests are carried out here in Australia?

Henry/Silky , in laymans terms , what does it all mean ?

Most of us carry the odd virus or six and whilst we carry them we are not affected by them.

Possibly rose viruses are the same.

Okay , thanks Balinbear , that sounds good , sorta !!

Well, it does say that viral diseases "significantly affect plant vigour and flower quality".

So , when a plant isn't performing in my garden as well as a plant say in Silkies garden , it may be because it has a virus and its not the parentage /breeding of the plant at all . Ozeboy , i think you better let it be known you have stringent hygience practices in your breeding of roses , you could have em clamouring at your door ...

OK, sorry I left out a crucial word "CAN"
as in:
Viral diseasescan significantly affect plant vigour and flower quality". It doesn't mean all affected plants show symptoms.
I don't know much about this, but really, there's not much the everyday gardener can do. We just look after our roses and hope for the best. If a rose doesn't perform, it could be due to a multitude of things, some we control, some we don't. Rose growers and breeders however will find this stuff very relevant to their practice I would imagine.

Possibly the finding of most concern is the large amount of rose spring dwarf. It is spread by aphids and can infect food crops.

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Thanks again Henry for the information , always makes good reading and enlightens us of some of the reasons why "our" roses might not perform to our expectations. With Henry's input we can all become wiser.

Thats it Roseman , when i am disappointed in a rose because it hasn't lived up to its expectations maybe its because it has one or more of these viruses , makes it a bit unfair on the rose too doesn't it , could be a fantastic rose , but maybe hypothetically i or anyone could get a virused /dud one . Somethings not right here Roseman , most of the public is unsuspecting and wouldn't have a clue about rose viruses, is that what big rose companies are banking on , arn't they just cutting their own throats , when the public gets pissed off when a rose possibly doesn't perform because it may be virused and pulls it out and curses roses forever ... There's the old saying , " Somethings crook in Tullarook " ....

Does anyone know of similar studies carried out in Australia? It was interesting to see which roses they tested and how many garden roses were listed as unknown.

The abstract may be misleading on one aspect. The tested roses were not selected at random. The full paper states:

"The majority of samples were symptomatic, however, a few had no symptoms.