Stenomesson miniatum
Diana Chapman (Sun, 06 Apr 2014 18:20:48 PDT)

Hi Paul:

Several kind people have offered me a bulb, so I think I am covered!

The leaves showed the characteristic pattern of virus infection, light
streaks that had a distinct pattern to them. This was many years ago,
and I didn't know anything about virus infections, and the infection
spread to some of my other bulbs that were nearby, probably by me
trimming off dying foliage. I destroyed the lot. In spite of the virus,
the bulbs bloomed and multiplied vigorously. Virus is very common in
commercially grown bulbs, many hybrid narcissus are virused, but still
grow well, and many hybrid lilies have long been know to be virused.
More than 90% of the bulbs I grow I grow myself from seed, and my goal
is to have generations of all my bulbs grown from seed, therefore free
of virus.

Diana

At 08:52 AM 3/04/2014, you wrote:

Does anyone have a bulb of this species? The usual clone in
circulation is felt to be virused, and the bulbs I had many years ago
were definitely virused and were destroyed. Some kind person gave me
a bulb that he assured me came from a different collection and was
free of virus. It shows no evidence of virus, and is finally in
bloom, and I would like to be able to get some seed and start a virus
free strain of this species. I would love to receive either pollen,
or even a virused bulb, and could trade something for it
(unfortunately I can't trade a virus-free bulb of this species yet,
it has barely made one offset).

Diana,

What were the symptoms of virus in this species? I grow it
(originally as Urceolina peruviana), and have done for well more than
a decade without any signs of virus. It flowers every year for me, is
offsetting decently despite the fact it almost never gets repotted or
any care of attention. I would happily send you a bulb during
dormancy, but realise that your quarantine laws make that more
difficult now. Unfortunately pollen from here is November/December
region, so unless it can be stored safely that would be of no use to
you. Happy to help out in some way if I can?

Cheers.

Paul T.
Canberra, Australia - USDA Zone Equivalent approx. 8/9
Min winter temp -8 or -9°C. Max summer temp 40°C. Thankfully, maybe
once or twice a year only.

Growing an eclectic collection of plants from all over the world
including Aroids, Crocus, Cyclamen, Erythroniums, Fritillarias,
Galanthus, Terrestrial Orchids, Irises, Liliums, Trilliums (to name
but a few) and just about anything else that doesn't move!!

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