RE: "Improved" Meyer Lemon & virus
Okay, I can throw some light on the matter of Meyer lemons and virus
because I live in Arizona. The original Meyer lemons harbor the tristeza
virus which can be a real threat especially to commercial production, or so
I have read. As Kurt said, the "improved" variety is supposedly resistant
to this virus. Nonetheless, as far as I know there is a complete
quarantine on Meyer lemons in Arizona, meaning that even the improved
variety can't be shipped or brought into the state, I think. (in fact, as
far as I know no mail order company will ship any kind of citrus to
Arizona--it's just not allowed. Fortunately we can buy locally grown
citrus.) I have heard of some people around here having Meyer lemons but I
don't know how they got hold of them what with the quarantine and all. It
does seem strange that we have this quarantine here, but it doesn't seem to
exist in California, which surely produces more citrus commercially than
Arizona does???
Anyway, it's too bad--sounds like a wonderful backyard tree!
Katherine Waser
Tucson, Arizona
