Virus - Narcissus - transferable to Galanthus?

[Josh Nelson]

Hi quick question as am currently planting up a bed with snowdrops etc and have noticed some Narcissi (Tresamble) have streaked foliage - they have been dumped suffice to say; others nearby are unaffected although around a quarter had virus.

Is the virus transferable inter-genera within the Amaryllidaceae, particularly to Galanthus and/or Leucojum?  I would ideally want to use the space the Narcissus were in - I have removed some soil but difficult to do throughly due to roses etc in the bed.

Anyone have experience/ knowledge on this?

Many thanks

[Maggi Young]

Never heard  yet of such virus being  transmitted through the soil, Josh. Cleanliness  in handling the infected bulbs then clean ones is vital, of course.   

 Critters IN the soil are another matter - for instance  .... Nematodes or eelworm species. Phylum Nematoda
There's the  stem or bulb eelworm - Ditylenchus dipsaci.
Longidorus, Xiphinema and Trichodorus species browse on roots and can transfer virus etc....  so I'm saying caution is the better part of valour!  Up to you to gauge the risk for 'drops that may be very rare and precious.....
 

[Josh Nelson]

Thanks Maggi - from what I can see looks likely that genus specific but always difficult to be sure without sufficient knowledge/ over reliance on Dr Google.  Caution as you say always the best way (they are going in my front garden bed by the path, so nothing too precious going in that side of the house!)

[emma T]

A virused comet