Hi,
Since the search function is down I have to post. I remember reading about a discussion on whether the tulip viruses can be passed to lilies. Does anyone remember that and what the conclusion is? I'd rather have lilies than tulips :*)
Tulip Virus
Here is what E. McRae says in his book : Lilies: A Guide for Growers and Collectors.
Chapter 5 pg 74.....
"Tulip breaking virus (TBV) is the oldest known virus disease identified by science. Tulip flowers with the symptomatic color-streaked segments were painted by Dutch masters in the seventeenth century. TBV, the most deleterious of lily viruses, can be transmitted from infected tulips or other liliaceous plants to lilies, for this reason, "broken" or "Rembrandt" tulips, which carry the virus, should not be grown in the same area as susceptible lilies."
aphids do the dirty work.
There are some tulips that are not 'broken' and do not necessarily carry the virus and could be planted....
What does "broken" refer to? wonder if it is better not to even bother with tulips then?
Thank you
This message was edited Nov 4, 2006 4:17 PM
broken is the streaky color that happens with the virus infection.....striking in the tulip which is not bothered by the virus...scary in the lily which is bothered...let me see if I can find a link.
edited to add link:
http://www.paghat.com/tulipbroken.html
This message was edited Nov 4, 2006 5:26 PM
Interesting. That page says they are outlawed in Holland. So I wonder if any of the modern multicolored tulips are safe? Many look "broken".
I wouldn't want anyone to take this as gospel, but I thought I read that the modern day Rembrandts are virus free. Maybe someone on the Bulbs Forum might know for sure. Seems to me they would have to be, otherwise, how could growers, in all good conscience, make they available.
Here is what Old House Gardens has to say...they sell the true virused broken tulips...
http://www.oldhousegardens.com/hortus.asp