Tulip Breaking Virus infects Lilies
JeanneK
Joined: Jul-28-2003
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Nov-04-2004 at 3:06pm
I thought the breeders did something else to get the variagation instead using the virus. I think I read that in Michael Pollans' Botany of Desire. But maybe breeders are going back to this? Or maybe it depends on the type of varigation.
I have been longingly looking at all the catalog but so far have not broken down yet. I need to get some natives planted into a new bed and didn't want to worry about getting bulbs in too.
I was thinking I needed to go Portland Nursery for some compost to mulch the beds. Probably will weaken and buy some bulbs then!
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Jeanne
DebbieTT
Joined: Jan-25-2003
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Nov-05-2004 at 3:17pm
Jeanne, That's good to know. The problem is which ones are virus free? Maybe we can rely on newer cultivars to be free? I don't know, but until I know for certain, I do want to keep them away from my lilies. It would be interesting to find out more.
Well let me know which ones weakened your resolve. Planting natives is a good thing though so don't let it interfere too much!
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Then, with the falling of the dusk,
The scent of mignonette and musk
Will all the air enshroud,
And the new moon will slip its husk
Of sailing silver cloud.
—Clinton Scollard
JeanneK
Joined: Jul-28-2003
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Nov-05-2004 at 3:34pm
Totally agree there, Debbie. Don't want anything contaminating the lilies. They are one of my favorite flowers!
And oh, yeah, the natives come first before any bulb planting that's for sure!
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Jeanne
JeanneK
Joined: Jul-28-2003
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Nov-08-2004 at 8:17am
Tulip Breaking Virus,potyvirus, does contaminate lilies. Looks like it causes malformed leaves and flowers on the lilies. If you look further down the page, there are a lot of insusceptible species, such as narcissus, hyaciths and hippeastrum.
Debbie, do you know if this virus was used to create the breaking effect on your tulips.
Very interesting.
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Jeanne
DebbieTT
Joined: Jan-25-2003
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Nov-08-2004 at 5:05pm
Tulip-breaking virus (TBV) gives the Rembrandt Tulips their coloring, which is very beautiful, but then it doesn't seem so beautiful once you know the cause. From what I 've been reading in one of my newest book Lilies a Guide for Growers and Collectors, by Edward Austin McRae, TBV is the oldest known virus disease identified by science. I thought that was an interesting side-note.
Since lilies are susceptible to viruses its not a good idea to plant those tulips with the virus. I was not aware of the correlation with tulips, although very aware of the viruses that affect lilies. Breeders of lilies are breeding tougher Lilies.
Thanks for putting a name to it and the link. I reread the diseases in the book to familiarize myself with it more.
My tulips are Tulip 'Blueberry Ripple'. I am not sure if this link will work as it is a wholesale place. Hopefully you don't need a password to see it. This is a new cultivar so I couldn't find anything on it in my references.
__________________
Then, with the falling of the dusk,
The scent of mignonette and musk
Will all the air enshroud,
And the new moon will slip its husk
Of sailing silver cloud.
—Clinton Scollard
Sydnie
Joined: Feb-28-2004
Location: Western Washington
Posted: Nov-09-2004 at 6:42pm
Good to know ladies. I had no clue about this and I would bet that a lot of people wouldn't. I esp. love my oriental lilies and would be mortified if I caused them to get any disease. I will be back to read this again and study it a bit more. Good information.
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The Earth Laughs in Flowers.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
JeanneK
Joined: Jul-28-2003
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Nov-10-2004 at 7:58am
Thanks, Sydnie!
I found it interesting to see which species were susceptible and which were not. Definately something to think about for the cutting garden. Most of my tulips are in a bed all by themselves just because of the no watering needs of the summer dormant season. I had some. Princess Irene tulips. Such a gorgeous orange and purple combination! But they eventually withered away. From this link, they supposedly don't have the virus.
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Jeanne
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