Anyone heard from American Meadows?

Each year I usually see a handful of aphids, mostly on roses. I have a good natural population of lady bugs (usually see them around here and there in the garden) so I don't treat for the aphids as long as they don't get out of hand. I never see more than a few and then they are gone. Now that I think of it, just a few days ago, before this lily opened, I took a photo of a ladybug on it.

My lilies fall into 1 of 3 catagories: a rose pink Asiatic that I bought locally 5 years ago, a rather large number and variety of bulbs purchased in 2005, and 2 varieties that purchased and received in early spring 2006. The rose pink Asiatic has spread to colonize a 3ft patch; it and all of its progeny appear quite healthy. It is not near the effected one. The 2 new bulbs were planted in the effected area. My best guess is that the effected lily is one of the ones purchased in 2005. That year I purchased such a large assortment of lilies, including almost every red Asiatic. I was unable to tell the reds apart when they bloomed. In 2005, I bought them from a number of different places including: Dutch Gardens, Van Borgendien (sp?), Brecks, FogBelt, Wayside, and possibly Spring Hill and American Meadows. This year 2006, I got 1 from American Meadows and 1 from Van B.

Because I had planted the new bulbs in the area, I suspected them. That is why I asked the question in this thread. But from what you (both) are saying, it sounds like it is just as likely that one of the 2005 bulbs may have been effected without showing symptoms earlier. I'm certain that none of the lilies displayed this pattern on either the petals or leaves last year. At least once a day, I enjoy walking through the garden, checking to see what's new, taking LOTS of photos, pruning, tidying up, etc. For this reason, I know if a single rose is removed. I would have noticed this pattern, especially as I was trying so hard to tell the reds apart.

Just checked, here are the red Asiatics I bought last year:

Commander in Cheif - Wild
Monte Negro - SpringHill
Nerone - Brecks
Sweet Lord - Brecks
Scarlet Star - Fogbelt (from my records this one is not planted in the area)
Stones - Van Borgindien (sp?)

This year:

Landini - Van B

The 1 from American Meadows this year was a peach pink oriental but was planted nearby.

I had some that I bought in a mixed bag at Walmart in 2000, I didn't notice any of them with those streaky blooms/leaves until 2004 and those were the only lilies in the garden at the time...so I don't know if the virus was already in one and didn't appear until later or if I was just unobservant. I need to dig up the ones that are virused but instead, I've just been cutting the stems off at the ground as they come up. I've added so many lilies in the last couple of years that I really should tend to that little chore this year.
Sorry you've got it in yours, I hope it wasn't one your were especially fond of, it's so aggravating, not to mention expensive if it spreads.

The important thing right now is to get rid of it. Is it more than just one? I'm leaning towards infected aphids. They can also cause a virus in Coneflowers; Yellow Aster Virus, I believe. In that case, the flowers are actually deformed and it looks like petals are growing out of the center of the cone. Again, the only recourse is to destroy the plant. I would seriously think about doing some spraying. I use dishsoap and water 2 or 3 times a year as a preventative. If there is an infestation, then you need something stronger. This is so scary. I think I'm going to spray more often this year starting this weekend!

Sadie, I would say yours were caused by aphids as well.

Oh, my, last summer I put a picture on Id forum asking about a black-eyed-susan with green stuff growing out of the center. I was told it was a virus. I destroyed the plant. Could that have been the same virus? I think I might be seeing some strange growth at the center of my (favorite) blue light clematis, too. It's hard to tell with that one because it has such odd and variable center growth anyhow.

Actually, this year the only time I even saw aphids was the one that showed up on a high resolution photo. Since I only see an occaisional one or two in early spring, and given that I only though of them in terms of the damage they do to the plant, I had been letting the lady bugs handle the problem. Now that I know they also spread disease, I'll have to rethink that strategy.

I'm not that fond of any of the red Asiatics, so I won't mind tossing it. Actually, I like this one with the streaks better than any of the others. But I have some nice Orientals, Orienpets, etc; don't want to risk their future. Like Sadie, I've got them packed in, too. It won't be easy to remove it, but I'm going to do it ASAP, nonetheless.

What about the soil around the bulb? Is it infected, too. Will the pathogen move through the soil to attack other lilies in the bed?

Thank you for this info. Very Sorry to have temporarily hi-jacked the thread. I asked the question here because I was afraid the AM lily might have been the culprit. If so I wanted to warn you, but didn't want to lead with that if it was not true. And from what you are saying, it sounds like the virus was with me before the AM bulb was introduced. So, again, sorry for the temporary topic change.

I'd be interested in the info about the soil, seems like I asked that question before and never really got an answer.

If it travels by soil, I'm in BIG trouble! I'll have to MOVE!

I don't think it does, but not 100% sure. I'll do some research. I believe it travels from plant to plant by the aphids. I'll get back to you when I find out.

Virus does not spread through the soil. However, you can spread it yourself by using clippers on an infected lily then on a healthy lily. Other bad things can be in the soil, though. For example, Fusarium basal plate rot (a fungal disease that kills lilies).

Thanks so very much for all of the helpful information. Because the topic of this virus has sparked so much conversation and in an effort to return this thread to its original topic, I have started another thread for the discussion of the lily mosaic virus: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/598435/

Again, my appologies for the interruption of this thread.

Lastly, with respect to the original topic, as I mentioned above, I received the remainder (almost all) of my AM order 2 days ago. These are perrenials, not lilies; however, I wanted to add that all items are well packed and appear to be in good condition. Each item includes a sizeable, plastic label with name, planting info, and a full-color picture of the plant. Considering the low sale prices, I thought that was a nice touch.

Pardalinum, thanks for clearing up the soil question!

My order from American Meadows arrived yesterday (Saturday the 6th) by FedEx (Saturday delivery!). I tracked it from their e-mail: They shipped the 4th, it arrived the 6th! Everything was in very good condition, and I was surprised at the bulb quality; no mold, no substandard sizes and no mistakes. Each individual bulb cultivar was packaged with big colorful photos attached to its packet. They even sent an extra packet of Martagon to make up for what they termed "smaller size" than usual. I am very satisfied with their service and products. Edited to add: This was my first order from American Meadows, and I admit I got a little "antsy" when May 1 came and went with no bulbs. I believe their Dutch supplier was late getting the bulbs to Vermont. So I offer a ray of hope to those still waiting.

This message was edited May 7, 2006 2:02 PM

Thanks TBGDN! I haven't recieved my order yet but your post gives me hope! : )

Beve, I haven't heard a word from them either.

TBGDN, your post gave me hope also!

Just got my email from AM. said they shipped yesterday and should be here Thurs. Guess we'll know more soon.

I just got an email from them also. I don't think I've ever planted lilies this late before, have you?

I received my bulbs yesterday. They did have nice pictures, as well as, clear growing instructions. I will have to say, that I am a little disappointed about the size of the bulbs for the price paid. Check out this link about cala bulb sizes. I difinately received older bulbs that will probably rpoduce fewer flowers. http://goldenstatebulb.com/pages/bulbcomp.html After placing my order, a couple of months ago, I went into Walmart and found the same lily bulbs half the price that I had paid at AM. The bulbs were bigger at Walmart too. I still have a couple of perennials coming. I'm just wondering how everyone else feels about their order.

I have planted this late, but don't like to. Now we mulch to keep the ground as cool as possible for as long as poss so they'll root well.

They're here! : ) They came this morning via Fedex....box was quite damaged but the bulbs are in perfect shape....a few sprouts but other than that perfect. Firm, nice sized bulbs...I'll order from them again even if they were late. : )

Where are they.............? Mine are supposed to be here today and it is 9:00am already!

Hang in there Sue! There coming! : )

Bulbs just got here! 2:07pm

2 stems broken :-( and of course they were on one of the most expensive bulbs, it was obvious they had been broken awhile. 2 pkgs have stems going round and round and round. Are you dizzy yet, they are! I don't think they will staighten, but we will see.......pot plants I guess.

Guess you could say I'm not happy as some of my order isn't even in there besides the above. Do I have a dark cloud over my head or what?

When it rains it pours....give 'em a call and give 'em heck!

Sick em', girl!

If it make you feel any better, the wind blew the top off my arbor and smashed a few lilies. :( Rough day!

This message was edited May 11, 2006 3:12 PM

Sorry everyone is having such a bad day!. Llilyfan, I'm sure they will replace your Dizzy. I ordered that one too. Man, are they running late or what? I suppose I won't get my order until June. I can just imagine how big those stems will be by then. Obviously, they don't have a very good method for holding the bulbs.

I really had high hopes when I read all the posts about the good bulbs, so I think my disappointment was greater!

Moby, so sorry to hear about your top blowing and getting your lilies in the process :-(

Beaker, actually my "Dizzys" were the best bulbs out of the bunch,it is the pardalinums that are going round and round and round in their pkgs.

Anahi, I'm going after them like a pitbull!

Oh! I'm feeling a bit dizzy going round and round with Dizzy!:-)

The "owner" if that's who he really was, never answered me back about the bulb with the molded, dried up stem...I didn't bother emailing the customer service link. I was much more satisfied with the bulbs I got from them last year.
Here's a pic of the bulb in question, along with the other one that was in the package with it - this is Asiatic Chianti (bad bulb on the right)

I would bet anything that bulb on the right will not grow. The stem does not look at all healthy.

Try soaking the bulb in Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2 over night. If that dont revive it nothing will.