Glenn, I would suppose that seeds are a vector for variegation, of course not virus.
Can a plants be effected by virus and transmit the variegate qualities to the seeds?
Dash.
----- Original Message -----
From:
Glenn
Callcott
To: Australian_Bulbs@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, July 20, 2002 9:42
PM
Subject: Re: [Australian_Bulbs] VIRUSED
Crinums
There are some interesting aspects to virusing and variegation. Its affect varies from species to species.
Generally, regular patterned stripes are true genetic variegation. For instance, we know that a striped Clivia ovary plant will produce a proportion of variegated seedlings. Because of the way cells divide to produce seed, seed is not a vector for virus.
In Camellias, there are two types of variegated flower. Stripes are genetically produced. Blotches and spotting are virus produced. The virused Camellia lives on, apparently unaffected. As it happens, my favourite Camellia is a virused form. We had a plant of this in our garden for most of my almost 50 years: only recently destroyed by the rich peasants who are destroying my old family home!
In orchids, the mosaic virus grows more pronounced until yellow stripes become black. The plant is doomed well before there is any outward sign of a virus.
However, most Daphnes have one of (from memory) over 30 viruses. It has no ill affect on them that I can see.
BTW: Daryl the Clivia seed arrived this week. Thanks for the generous additional gift of the Vico yellow x Kevin waters.
Glenn Callcott
Sydney, Oz
----- Original Message -----
From:
Daryl
Geoghegan
To: Australian_Bulbs@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, July 20, 2002 2:15
PM
Subject: Re: [Australian_Bulbs] VIRUSED Crinums
Alberto, Jim and All,
I would have to agree with Alberto in this case. IMHO, there has not been enough work done on virus (with information filtering through to the home gardener) to absolutely convince me that variegated forms of plants do not have virus. This is a side of bulb culture that really needs more investigation. Pests and disease should be common knowledge to every gardener for their area. Traditionally, early type variegated plants came from sports, hybridizing and virused plants yielding siblings that were variegated etc,. With the introduction or techniques like irradiation etc., to obtain variegated plants, it is hard to tell the difference sometimes.
Best wishes,
Dash.
----- Original Message -----
From:
Alberto Castillo
To: Australian_Bulbs@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Saturday, July 20, 2002 3:20
AM
Subject: [Australian_Bulbs] VIRUSED Crinums
Hi Jim et al:
A word of warning about the supposedly variegated Crinums. In the second picture in particular it is very clear the mosaic symptomsin the lower leaves. If I were you I would run from that clump of virused Crinums as fast as I could. If there is a mosaic form capable of weakening Crinums to such an extent it would wipe out a whole collection of bulbs. Crinums are very tough plants and usually mask virus symptoms. That is, they have virus and act as carriers without showing symptoms. If you have used a spade to dig them out pass it through a flame for a few minutes. Believe me, such plants belong to a fire along with the soil and pot. Fortunately, you must never have had this problem in your collections. Pray you never have it!
Regards Alberto