Kiss Of Fire got the kiss o' death?

Yeah, that's its new name. Total meltdown.

It's a fine line:

--- Do you want virus tolerant lilies and have many viruses continuously present in the garden,
--- or do you want virus susceptible lilies and very few viruses?

There are arguments for both scenarios.

The first scenario costs me less.
And if you don't see symptoms or decline, isn't that a good thing?

It's an interesting question. I think I'm with Tracey in prefering the first option, but before tolerance the quality of resistence is important. The ideal garden lilies would be highly virus resistant, but if they did become infected they would also be tolerant: able to remain healthy-looking, garden-worthy and beautiful.

The second choice seems futile to me, as we don't live in a virus-free world, and "very few" could never be none. Susceptable lilies will therefore inevitably succumb. I'd rather live with the whole range of life indefinitely than consider my lilies as disposable.

Very good points, Della. And tolerant vs. resistant, you can't see the difference except at a microscopic level.

It is an interesting conversation. I do know that a goal for a lily in my garden wouldn't be just a year or two, or even three. Looking for more longevity.

The problem for me isn't if the lily is virus tolerant or not, but that I - as a buyer - rarely or ever is informed if it is or nor. All you usually get is a pretty picture and no info about resistance/tolerance to virus and fungal diseases.

Kordes does this quite well with their roses in regards to black spot and mildew. They are specifically growing resistant varieties and informing their buyers. It's a very good sales argument! One could only hope that some of the big lily companies would go for more resistant cultivars as well. I'm not saying that they don't try, probably there is better incentive to do so with stricter environmental regulations today as compared to the past, but where is the info? Certainly not in most sales catalogues...

I'm sure the big lily companies make more money on their cut flowers than garden flowers, hence, no need to focus much on virus tolerance or resistance. You learn more about disease resistance/tolerance by word of mouth on forums like this and from small breeders.

Whenever I come across information like this by happenstance, I make a note of it.

I was wondering if the virus effects the soil? If I remove damaged lilies this year will I be able to plant new lilies next year in the same location?

It should not effect the soil so long as all bulb infected matter is removed.