One of the concerns is that ornamental plant viruses can possibly also infect important agriculture plants.
“It is a general experience that most epidemics caused by plant viruses are in some way man-made. Intensive research which enables the early recognition of potential dangers, a close international cooperation among scientists, advise to growers and traders and, if necessary, governmental measures are necessary in order to keep the risks low which may arise from the world-wide trade with ornamentals and the shift of production to warmer countries in which greenhouse propagation of plants is often replaced by open field cultivation.”
Thank you for the additional reading Henry. Have you seen anything like the speckled color pattern on my roses leaves before? It’s interesting that some of the leaves start out yellow and then develop lots of green speckles.
Rob Byrnes, I feel that it would be nice if the rose virus researchers would publish something that was easily available to the general public that included more complete descriptions / pictures of the various rose virus infections. I realize that the symptoms / pictures can vary depending on the variety of the rose, temperature, general health of the rose, and/or whether the rose has 2 or more virus infections, but at least that would be a starting point.
Rob Byrnes, any update concerning your variegated seedlings?
Hello Henry. One of the seedlings seems to be putting out normal leaves now but the first one is still putting out the ‘speckled’ voliage. Looking at it I think it’s very attractive. It also has an unopened bud. I’ve not contacted anyone yet about the possibility of virus transmission via the seed. Here are too shots of the plant that remains speckled that were taken today.
