Saffron
Rodger Whitlock (Sat, 08 Nov 2014 11:09:13 PST)
On 7 Nov 2014, at 20:30, T O wrote:
This brings to my mind a perplexing question. Dutch growers often retire
certain cultivars that cease to grow well once the clones acquire too many
viruses (King Alfred). Is it really possible that a single saffron clone
could go on for thousands of years without acquiring too many viruses, or
even just succumbing to old age?
The "Giant Yellow" crocus, a hybrid between two yellow species that I forget
the identities of, is still one of the strongest growing crocuses, though it's
hundreds of years old. Going a little further afield, dahlia 'Bishop of
Llandaff" is over a century old and still thriving.
At least some monocots appear to be immune or resistant to virus-induced loss
of vigor, so why not the saffron crocus? I have no idea what mechanism lies
behind this apparent immortality.
--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Z. 7-8, cool Mediterranean climate