Die-back and Stem Canker of Rose - Rose Tree Canker Disease

There are many different diseases that attack roses in Mississippi. These will vary in type and severity depending upon location and weather conditions. Die-back and stem canker are really a complex of diseases since they are caused by several different types of fungi. However, identifying these stem canker diseases is not of great importance since the control is very much the same for all. This disease is usually more prevalent on plants that have been severely defoliated by black spot or are under some type of stress due to poor cultural practices. The die-back phase of the disease appears as a black sunken lesion that causes death of the terminal areas of the cane. The die-back phase become established through injuries, leaf scars, petal scars or any type of wounds that occur on the young, tender canes. Stem or cane cankers are large, girdling type of lesions that appear on the more mature canes. These will vary in color from yellow to tan, or dark brown to black. The bark of the canes may be split and sprinkled with raised, black specks which are the fruiting structure of the fungus. Severely infected canes may be girdled and die back.

Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS 39762 Main Telephone: 1-662-325-2323 Mobile Site Â© 2012