> with plants--first, a carrier
> must ingest the virus from an infected pokeweed, then inject it into a
> susceptible bulb. It may happen, but how often?
Alberto may be exaggerating a bit (especially the part about the
messages on this list proving the existence of God), however, I also
worry about viruses ruining favorite stuff. In theory, it is not that hard to
spread a virus. Cut the flowers or foliage with the same tool without
disinfecting between plants, sap sucking bugs like aphids moving from
plant to plant, hailstorm, ...
Normally, I am in the "survival of the fittest" camp when it comes to
babying plants and giving them extra care. I do grow the dreaded tiger
lily and various species and cultivars that are probably susceptible to the
virus it likely carries. I let people smoke at the farm knowing they are
likely carriers of the Tobacco Mosaic virus. At least if anything dies
around here, I can point the finger of blame away from my own plant
care methods :-).
> There are very few instances of viruses being passed from
> parents to seed to seedlings.
I have no proof, however, I would expect most seed to carry the parents
virus (at least when fresh). I would be happy to learn I have been
overworrying, KellyO
Kelly O'Neill Wet Rock Gardens Flower Farm
U-Pick and more at the farm (open 9 to 6, Sun, Wed and Fri -
from March thru Halloween):
2877 N 19th Street
Springfield, Oregon 97477
To contact us: * Business Office for mail or by appointment only:
gardens@wetrock.com * 1950 Yolanda AVE
http://www.wetrock.com/ * Springfield, Oregon 97477
(541) 746-4444 *