Marin Rose Society

FAST FACTS - CROWN GALL
by Nanette Londeree, Master Rosarian

SIGNS

Rounded light green to light tan growths on roots or bud union

Irregularly shaped, rough, woody-looking dark-colored masses on stems near soil line or just below the surface

SYMPTOMS

Stunted growth - very small leaves with few flowers buds

Young plants with slow growth or that fail to grow at all

Crown Gall OPTIMAL CONDITIONS / HABITAT

Plants grown in infected soil

Warm, sunny weather; it is not active in cold weather

Can persist in the soil in a dormant state for years

Variety of other host plants including apples, raspberries, honeysuckle, euonymus and many vegetables

TREATMENT

Prevention:

Maintain good garden sanitation and cultural practices

Purchase plants from high quality suppliers

Inspect new plants thoroughly before adding to your garden

Avoid injury to canes and stems when planting or cultivating

Elimination:

Cut out galls using a sharp knife or pruning shears and destroy them; disinfect blades with a bleach solution after each cut

If heavily infected, remove and discard the plant

Replace soil where rose was growing with new soil, and don’t grow another rose or susceptible plant where the rose was removed

There is no known chemical treatment for this disease

GOOD GUY / BAD GUY?

Mostly a nuisance - generally not a big problem for most roses; though if a rose is infected it may cause the ultimate demise of the plant

Photos of Spring Dwarf are by Baldo Villegas from the extraordinary website: http://members.tripod.com/buggyrose/irosepests.htm

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Last Modified: 1/20/09

FAST FACTS - CROWN GALL by Nanette Londeree, Master Rosarian

FAST FACTS - CROWN GALL
by Nanette Londeree, Master Rosarian