Re: seeds from fruit with mosaic virus
- To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: seeds from fruit with mosaic virus
- From: P* S* T*
- Date: Sat, 27 Nov 1999 20:36:54 -0500
- List-Archive: <http://www.mallorn.com/lists/pumpkins/> (Web Archive)
I'm with Barb on this one.
I know next to nothing about mosaic viruses. However, I know a thing or two
about risk avoidance (yup, I'm a big chicken). Here's the thing about risk:
If it's unnecessary, it just isn't worth it.
The only acceptable reason for any risk is if the potential return on that
investment (risk) is sufficient to warrant the risk. Since there is an
abundance of quality seed available to a GiantPumpkin grower, accepting and
using a seed with any risk of passing on mosaic virus makes no sense,
whatsoever. In this case, the risk far outweighs any benefit that may be
gained. There are safer seeds that will produce a greater return.
Maybe the odds are extremely against mosaic being passed through the seed.
The point is, if there is any (any!) chance it will pass it, it should be
destroyed. To do otherwise, the potential -- however minor -- for disaster
will be present in that seed and in your garden.
What seed is so vital to the gene pool that it cannot be terminated? If we
were growing GiantEndangeredPumpkins I might go along with the risk.
But, we're not.
Paul Thompson
Armada, Michigan
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