WSU Extension

Hortsense

Rose : Brand canker
(revision date: 4/23/2014)


Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Biology
Brand canker is a fungal disease that often infects plants in the winter, especially when winter protection of roses keeps the canes moist. Initial symptoms of infection are small dark red spots on the canes. These get larger and develop distinct dark red or purplish margins. Later the spots turn light brown in the center. Insect wounds and pruning wounds are common sites of infection. Brand canker may resemble common canker.
Management Options

Non-Chemical Management
  • Avoid wounding plants.
  • Prune properly with sharp tools to avoid pruning wounds. Do not leave long stubs.
  • Avoid winter mulches which hold high amounts of moisture near canes.
  • Remove all infected canes, making pruning cuts below the diseased portion.
  • Provide proper culture to keep plants healthy and more disease-resistant.
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management
IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

None recommended

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Caption: Rose brand canker
Photo by: R.S. Byther