ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A brand of roses sold across the state is now in the clear after numerous local nurseries had to put their roses into quarantine over the weekend. It stemmed over concerns of a fatal rose virus that would wreak havoc if spread.
What was expected to be a beautiful start to Albuquerque’s rose season quickly turned thorny. “Thursday afternoon, the rumble in the jungle was ‘Hey, Weeks Roses is on a stop sale’,” said Jericho Nursery owner Richard Hobson. “Weeks Rose Company sells to all of us nurseries.”
Thousands of roses across the state were on hold over concerns of a fatal virus that attacks the flower. Hobson said they were waiting for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to take the lead. “They showed up Friday afternoon, they said we have what we think is a disease, Rosette, on roses, which is deadly and not curable,” said Hobson…