292 MANUAL OF FRUIT DISEASES 



ROSETTE 

 Cause not established 



The rosette disease affects many kinds of peaches, both 

 budded fruit and seedlings. Probably the same disease occurs 

 on many varieties of plums and almonds. 



The disease was first described as a probable southern varia- 

 tion of peach-yellows, but later it was referred to as a distinct 

 disease. The earliest record dates back to 1879, when it was 

 observed in the State of Georgia. Ten years later it appeared 

 in Kansas. It has subsequently been reported from South 

 Carolina, Arkansas and elsewhere. 



Affected orchards are lost within a few years. The trouble 

 is regarded as second to peach-yellows in point of obscurity 

 and destructiveness. The rosette disease is more rapid in 

 its destruction than is yellows, and in Georgia, a prominent 

 peach state, it has a wider range than yellows. 



Symptoms. 



Peach-rosette is recognized by the development of a rosette 

 or whorl of sprouts on affected limbs. The whole tree, or only 

 one or two limbs, may be diseased. Within six to twenty-four 

 months the tree dies. First evidence is noted in the early 

 spring when the buds open. Instead of only a few winter buds 

 pushing out, a great majority of them grow into shoot-axes 

 in compact tufts or rosettes. Such are only two to three inches 

 long, and they bear numerous small leaves. When older and 

 larger leaves are affected, they show an inrolling of the margins 

 and a peculiar stiffening due to the midrib becoming straight. 

 Smaller leaves are seldom rolled. Affected foliage turns yellow 

 early in the summer and falls prematurely. Often leaves are 

 blotched, browned and deadened at the ends and margins from 

 the attacks of secondary leaf fungi. Fruit on rosette trees 

 falls prematurely. Diseased trees show less tendency to develop 

 sprouts on the trunk and main limbs. 



