You can offer to pay postage or trade seeds or cuttings of some plants that you have.

You could also post on freecycle in your area. Maybe someone might have some to share.

If you're in west Texas, I'm sure there are some growing along the road. I'm not sure if Texas law prohibits it, but you could take a cutting...not uproot the whole plant, but taking a cutting will not kill the existing cacti.

I did this in California with a wild patch of Prickly Pear near my home.

In almost all states it is illegal to collect wild plants from the wild. Lowes and Wal-Mart, etc. sell small cacti for less than $3 apiece. Even though I don't often frequent big-box retailers, I think it would be much preferrable to have your kids save up a couple week's of allowance than to take the chance of being fined hundreds of dollars for a prickly pear pad on the sly...

I'm not sure what you're basing your statement on. At least in my home state and all the ones bordering it, you can dig just about anything the land owner gives you permission to dig.

It's illegal to steal plants from landowners.

It's illegal to take plants from state or federal land.

randy

Craigfarmz,
Why not purchase some seed on e-bay, and make it a real learning experiance? Its inexpensive, and there are a number of sellers offering mixed cactus seed. I would think that they would also get more gratification and learn to appreciate the plants that way. Sadly, I have seen first hand that when you give someone a plant, sometimes it has little value.

Randy,
They are basing their information on the fact that in most states out your way it is illegal to dig cacti. If everyone that just wanted a few went out and dug some a lot of damage could be done, and a lot of plants could disappear, and have. I know it seems like there are plenty and they are everywhere, but that is only because they are not being disturbed.

In all honestly they are inexpensive enough that there is no longer a need to go out and dig any. I was just at a W mart, and they had a lot of nice small cactus and succulents for $1.50. Even at my favorite garden center a plant in a 3 or 4 inch pot is only $3.99.

With or without a land owners permission. The only real reason I could see for removing them now is if an area is being cleared for construction, then it becomes a rescue program.

I was driving around Arizona one winter, and was stopped and searched. My first thought was that they were looking for illegals, I joked about it and was told that they were in fact looking for Cacti. They had been having a real problem in the area, large areas were being cleared and large numbers of plants were being removed illegally. The fact is we were driving around enjoying the country side they were trying to protect.

Bambi,

I stand by my statement that one can dig what he wants with the landowners permission in my area. In other regions of the country that may not be true.

You seem to be spinning my statement into a "Everyone grab a shovel and take all" which it never was. I love and appreciate the natural environment as much as the next guy.

randy

If you can point me to the specific law prohibiting collection by landowner permission in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and Kansas, and Missouri, I will apologize and recant my erroneous statement.

randy

Just got of the phone with the Oklahoma Dept. Of Agriculture. I visited with the Plant Industries Division, Forestry Div., and Legal Services Div. They know of no restrictions on collecting succulents with landowners permission. And there are no protected species they know of in Oklahoma.

Talked to a friend that has been President a of the Central Oklahoma Cactus and Succulent Society a few times over the years. There is no law in Oklahoma she is aware of and there are no protected species in Oklahoma. I would think she would know. :-) A person has the legal right to collect any succulent using sound judgement and given the landowners permission.

She told me there are a few species that are protected in Texas. I'll call their Dept. of Agriculture some time this week and see what I can find there. I imagine I'll find that outside of those protected species, no problem using sound judgment, and owners permission, one can collect succulents from pastures and fields.

I don't take issue with conservation and protection of species, in fact I'm very much for it when done wisely.

I'm not fond of blanket statements that aren't factual and based only on "local" laws or political interests. Just the facts please.
Just the Facts Randy

Randy,

I said "They are basing their information on the fact that in most states out your way it is illegal to dig cacti", no where did I say Oklahoma! It just seems a waste to remove something like that from the wild when there are alternatives. Many of the plants out there have taken many years to grow. Then some one comes by with a shovel and digs it up for his yard or his home.

Hey have at it if it's legal, then when there are none left in the wild to enjoy, that's the way it will be. I really enjoyed seeing those plants more in the wild than I do in my living room or out in the yard when weather permits it. We traveled around Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, looking at Catus and succulents and never disturbed a plant. Believe me there were some I really would have liked to have had, and some of them I did manage to find for sale after I got home. I just don't think it's right, and I am entitled to that opinion. Now I wish I would have visited Oklahoma and filled up the truck! I'm just kidding!
Down at the end of my street I could go dig up a Dogwood tree if I wanted to, but why remove one from the wild if I can purchase one? I'll get a better tree anyway.

{{gwi:470597}}

So do you suppose it would be ok to walk into a place like this and dig up a few plants, because there are so many? Keep in mind it has taken years for this magical garden to grow. I suppose the land owner has a right to do what ever he wants with them, and if that includes letting folks come in and dig up some for their yard why not? My stance is why, they are available form commercial growers, and seed can be purchased. This is private land by the way, and every spring the owner has to ask people with shovels to leave, some actually get rude about it too. People have asked if they could dig some, are told no, and some still try to! I purchased mine from a nursery that specializes in woodland plants, and he would allow me to take a few if I wanted them.

I still think my idea of spending a few dolars on some seed and postage is a better idea than driving around digging up the country side.

I am sorry if I offended you.

I'm not offended at all. Nor have I advocated digging up the countryside. But you can think that if you want. :-) I'm a big boy. I think you misunderstand why I took issue with this thread.

I have a problem with the very broad blanket statements people tend to make that are usually based on things other than the facts.

I have a feeling if I started going down the list of states that strictly prohibit the collection of succulents from private property when given permission it would be far smaller that either of you have stated. Yes , there are probably some states where some or most are protected for very good reasons. If you know of states, please name them.

Instead of trying to intimidate someone with possible truth and speculation of what might be true, point them down the right direction as you did with your last response.

If you feel strongly that we should leave land as it is, say so and give your reasons. I respect that a lot more than blanket statements that cover all manner of sins.

Your idea of buying seed or plants is a good one. It probably would be the best option for a number of reasons. A couple you have already eloquently stated. Another is I doubt that most newbies to plants and cactus in general could effectively transplant them and they survive.

One of my favorite cactus is large Ferocactus wislizeni from a legal Arizona rescue sent to me by a friend that dug it himself. Think they were clearing out what they could before a housing addition expanded.

{{gwi:470594}}


{{gwi:470596}}

Again, I am in now way offended or upset. I'm just pulling a Mr. Spock. Logic tells me some things said in this thread are not factual when it comes to the law. But I'm not advocating a shovel frenzy. You've given a number of very good options far better than that. :-)

randy

There are some other points to consider, the plants you purchase will probably thrive, if you don't know what you are doing collected plants will not survive. Another point is we're talking novice, newbies here that wouldn't know an endangered plant if they got a hand full of spines off of it.

I just don't think digging your own is a really good idea, unless you are sure of the laws, and really know what you are looking at. I just really have a hard time offering up digging your own as a source of FREE plants.

Digging your own is responsible for the disappearance of our native Lady Slipper Orchids here in northern Ohio, and I would bet the farm that NONE of them survived being moved

I think I germinated my first cactus seeds about 40 years ago, and I don't think I had that much trouble with them. One lived at my mothers house until she moved about 5 years ago. It would probably still be around if it hadn't been dropped.

Now I am definitly not against rescues. I have participated in a couple of relocation projects here. I am also involved in restoring Pitcher Plants to an area here.

Nice post. I don't disagree with anything you've said. There are some great things there like your participation in relocation and restoration projects.

I'm very fond of Monarch butterflies and have become active in getting others to plant more natives like one of our many common milkweeds that provides them with a food source and plants to lay eggs on during their migration each year.

I have seed if you're interested. :-)

randy

I certainly did not intend to start an argument, but the poster that originally brought up the possibility of collecting cacti did not mention anything about private land or asking permission of landowners. The exact words were "If you're in west Texas, I'm sure there are some growing along the road. I'm not sure if Texas law prohibits it, but you could take a cutting...not uproot the whole plant, but taking a cutting will not kill the existing cacti."

While I do agree that taking a pad or two pales in comparison to digging up a whole plant I still do not think it's a great idea to be advocating wild collecting without a license.

If you do a Google search on cactus + rustling you will get a number of hits describing the damage that this practice can cause. Some of the sites mention specific laws in some states and others just discuss the general damage done...

I do apologize for my "very broad blanket statement", but I would also like to emphasize that there are much better ways to start an inexpensive cacti collection without resorting to taking them from the wild...

Below is one of the links that the above mentioned search retrieved...

Here is a link that might be useful: The Cactus Snatchers

I like to think you started a healthy discussion. Maybe I'm a little dense, but I never thought there was an argument going on. I think in the long run bambi, you, and I agree on how to best acquire plants.

I admit I ignored the post where the person claimed to have illegally obtaining plant material and probably shouldn't have. I think it's very wrong for a number of reasons. It might sound or seem harmless, but it's not. I would be ticked if someone decided it was ok to do the same on my property.

On the other hand on two different occasions I've been given written permission by the State of Oklahoma to collect certain plants in a certain location at a certain time of day on a certain day of a certain week, of a certain month, and certain year. And yes, I'm certain of that. The area where these plants were taken from is now being developed.

randy

Eloquent arguments...much ado about nothing.

Craig,

How snifty that your kids want to start a cactus garden! Gardening is a wonderful experience for children and a great teaching tool. Do you have much experience growing cacti? Will you be using pots, in-ground or raised bed? Drainage will be important for a *successful* cactus garden.

As to collection of plants for your garden, let the lessons begin! Why not order one package of assorted seeds (a couple of bucks plus postage) *and* go to Wally World for one (another buck.50) *and* locate someone (in Tx that won't be a problem) who will allow you to remove one or two pads from their prickly pear. Now you've got a show going.

Again, I don't know if you have experience with cactus but there are some simple tips that will help you help your children get a good start towards a successful garden. Many here, as myself, will be happy to help, if we have a bit more info. The first that comes to my mind is
1) steer the kids away from the colorful grafts at WM. Eventually the top section dies and we want success growth for young gardeners.
2)wash all dirt from the roots before planting into its new home.
3) when collecting opuntia pads, take the Sunday paper (a section for wrapping the pad), a set of tongs (in case the spines are so long they poke thru the paper) and your sharpest *long* knife (it can be tricky to get down between pads).
4) cut pads at the joints and let them scab over in a dry, shady spot for a couple of weeks before planting.
5) discuss the pros and cons of wild collection of native plants while retrieving your new project.

hth - Jo

It's against the law to take any thing from Calif. Nat. Land, State Land unless you are willing to pay big fines. It is also setting an bad example for your children. Unless you are an expert or just get lucky very likely they will not live. Home owners, and land owner can give away want they want, we are not to steal it. Always ask, homeowners are usually glad to get rid of them. I have a sign out in front of my house, if you see anything you would like just ring the bell and ask. Many people here on this forum offer free plants, and you can buy a collection of cactus seeds for about $1.50, they can be grown from seed. Please get permission. Don't put your self in that position. Tell us about your soil, do you plan to grow them in pots, indoors or out. We could all send seeds, for ,41 1cents that might be fun. This is the wrong time of the year, if you have night going down into the low 50 ty's Wait until Spring, ask neighbors for offsets. Norma

craigfarmz,

I have some extra that I can share. Do you have something you want to trade? email me @ planty2000@gmail.

I see mexicans collecting nopales on public land all the time. If it's a non-native plant, or something that grows in abundance (like iceplant or prickly pear), I wouldn't worry about taking a cutting.

It's unlikely though that your local native species are all that interesting. I'd suggest trying freecycle or trade with someone nearby or though the mail.

I would NOT recommend mixed packets of cactus seed for your purposes, those mixes are usually from cacti that produce lots of seed (hence it's cheap), usually it's saguaro, organpipe, fero wislenzi, ect, which probably won't by hardy in your garden and grow big (but slowly), such that you shouldn't expect them to flower. Your best bet for seed would be the echinocereus mix from mesagarden, IMO.

Often big-box stores get large shipments of C&S in for $1 each, that's competitive with free since you have to go there to get something every couple weeks anyway.

This really isn't the best time to be planting C&S, they don't like being messed with when it's cold and could die or fail to root if it's a cutting. Best to wait until spring. You could prepare a nice rock garden now.

I just found cactus seeds for sale at my grocery store and am willing to send them to you. I don't grow cactus so can be of any help at all. Believe me I have sent out many flying boxes of plants. About 15 a week, not any more. Norma

What happened to craigfarmz? He joined on Jan 17, started this thread when heposted for free cactus on Jan 19,and hasn't logged on since. Is craigfarmz for real? or just someone looking for cactus for free.

My guess is you all scared him off.