The timely removal of infected plants is most important to control this disease. Inspect plants in early spring and try to identify the pustules before the orange spores are produced. Once spores are released, they cause new infections that may not show up until the following spring. Dig up, remove and dispose of or destroy these plants. Nearby wild brambles should also be destroyed.
Symptoms are unusual and markedly change the appearance of the plant.
In the spring, infected buds from the previous year produce numerous leafy sprouts. This proliferation of shoots is referred to as a witches broom. Several of these witches brooms may occur on one cane. As flower buds open, petals are pinkish in color, wrinkled and twisted. Berries do not develop from infected blossoms, uninfected parts of the same plant produce smaller, poorer quality fruit.