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Some questions about Citrus gracilis

20 years ago

Well, I am sure I am going to open a can of worms when I ask this, but, is there anyone out there that has one of these trees. Furthermore, does anyone have any seeds or cuttings of it as well. Besides www.homecitrusgrowers.co.uk 's websites excellent description of the tree, is there any additional infomation since it was discovered. Has anyone on here actually seen this tree in person. Just looking for more information and if one may be acquired in any way, either by seed or by graft.

VTY

-Mark

Comments (17)

  • 20 years ago

    I have scoured the web and nothing but the uk sites have info on that citrus. I have been to Australia 3 times, but never up to or around Darwin. This species is probably as rare as you can get.

    Good luck!

  • 20 years ago

    I'm not sure if it will work but I am going to call a friend I haven't spoken to in a while and see if they are planning on going to the region in the next couple of months. Hopefully I can convince them to either grab a twig or 2 and some fallen fruit if possible and Fed-Ex it back. I probably will have no luck but what the hell, I gotta at least try. I also have a regional office in Austrailia that I deal with, maybe I can convince someone from that office if they go vacation in the area to do the same. I think I have a very low chance of any of these ideas comming through, but I gotta try :)

    VTY
    -Mark

  • 20 years ago

    Do you know that someone was recently fined several thousand dollars for mailing citrus "twigs" from Japan to California(possible jail sentence also)? No parts of any citrus tree can legally be imported by private individual to the USA.

    Here is a link that might be useful: mrtexas

  • 20 years ago

    The conviction was a result of an investigation by US Customs and Border Protection along with the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Mr. Nagatoshi Morimoto pleaded guilty to one felony count of smuggling citrus cuttings from Japan into the United States. The cuttings were smuggled in express mail shipments from Japan in boxes labeled as "candy and chocolates." The shipment tested positive for citrus canker. Mr. Morimoto was sentenced to one month in prison, a $5,000.00 fine and community service that requires him to distribute brochures both in Japan and the U.S. that warn about the virus and the consequences of illegally shipping citrus cuttings to the US. - Millet

  • 20 years ago

    As a resident of a citrus-producing state--as well as a state with a large ag-based economy in general--I have to support strict regulations that could threaten that agriculture. Please don't potentially introduce more disease.

    (Have to get a shot out to Homey G on this one, if you're reading this :)

  • 20 years ago

    Homey G. I like that.

    Alright Gunsamaster. Here is how I would do it legally in Cali. I think you are in Long Island NY so the Agri import process may differ...

    You will have to locate the individual responsible for agricultural imports for NY state and the USDA. And then you will have to locate someone in Australia gvmt who is responsible for distributing budwood and connect them to your USDA and NY Dept of Ag contacts. In Cali, after you have the budwood sent from said location directly to the CCPP at Univ of Riverside (They have a USDA Permit for importing budwood here at UCR). It will undergo the lengthy process of Stringent testing, Indexing, Therapy, Grafting, Propagation, & Quarantine release. 30-36 Months. Not sure how much this cost, but I am sure it ain't free.

    Hope this helps...

    And another Shout Out to Homey G. Word.

    Citrusboy aka Home Slice

    Here is a link that might be useful: Helpful link about importing budwood

  • 20 years ago

    The C. Gracilis would be a great addition to one's collection. I am one who also enjoys collecting rare citrus, yet must respect import/export laws for the benefit of the whole citrus community. Australia has got many very interesting selections that the U.S. has yet to see. If there is enough demand for a certain variety it inevitably does make its way here, somehow. It's just a matter of time.

    Keepin it real...

    (nice shout out rickjames :P)

  • 20 years ago

    Well I do not want to do anything illegal. That would not be fair at all to anyone or the agricultural industry. I am looking into whom I have to contact and what I have to do to go on my quest. Maybe if it does cost a significant amount, like $1,000.00 or something, maybe A pool can be set up and with a pile of donations, be able to get some samples to the US and share with the donors. Or likewise if enough people are interested, maybe we can find a stash at a local botanical garden or something. Now that sounds like a good idea to me.

    VTY
    -Mark

  • 20 years ago

    I can understand not importing twigs--what about seeds? Isn't that legal?

  • 20 years ago

    I always though seed was legal except in states that have quarantine rules in effect like Florida, or the other Citrus states like Lousiana, Texas Arizona and California. there may be some other places that have similar restrictions. I do know a firend of mine at work has brought seed back from Bangladesh and has shown customs the seeds and they let him right through in New York City and Long Island area. I think it's a state by state rule, unless a specific country is banned for certain reason fderally. I think Austrailia is not banned as far as I can tell.

    VTY
    -Mark

  • 20 years ago

    Thanks for the comments about my web-site www.homecitrusgrowers.co.uk
    Unfortunately the company that hosts part of the site has just gone out of business, and it will be a few more days before I get it all back working. However, the section about Citrus gracilis can still be reached from the link below.
    I would also like to add this species to my collection. It's hard enough to get information and pictures - seeds so far have proved impossible, even though there are no UK import restrictions. None of my curent Australian contacts have ever seen fruit on the trees in their area, although one correspondent said he had heard of fruit being sold in a local Aboriginal market. (Probably wasn't in fact C. gracilis.) The preserved fruit pictures on my webpage were collected from one particular tree several years ago, and this tree has not produced mature fruit since.
    No fruit, no seeds!
    I hope someone in Australia is trying to propagate this rare plant. I suggested to various botanical people that I would be willing to help, but no-one so far has taken the hint and sent me either seeds or budwood!

    Here is a link that might be useful: Citrus gracilis

  • 17 years ago

    Hey everyone,

    I know this post is fairly old, however, I wanted to update things a bit.

    As for getting seed or budwood to the US. If you go through the long process of getting an e-permit then you can import see and/or budwood provided that you follow their guidlines and there are no restrictions in your particular state. MY state does not have restrictions to any major extent when it comes to this. The process does work and have tried it already.

    I am still working on getting some (Micro)citus gracilis sent to me, but havent made the right network connection as of yet. But working on it nonetheless.

    I also have some great news, I have started a small citrus tree business and have a bunch of species of Citrus and citrus tree relatives getting ready for sale. I will start a new thread for for those who are interested.

    I figure selling some species and making a collection is the best way to support the fun and enjoyment I get with the trees.

    Finally, does anyone have any good contacts in Sri Lanka, I am treying to hook up with someone into horticulture so that I can import some citrus and citrus relatives from that region at this point.

    VTY
    -Mark

  • 10 years ago

    Hi I live in australia and have a number of rare citrus am working on expanding my collection so i have stock to sell

  • 10 years ago

    Ten years on and I am still looking for seeds of Citrus gracilis! Morgan - do you have this species in your collection?

  • 10 years ago
    yes my husband does
  • 10 years ago

    Does it fruit? Do you ever get seeds? Any chance of some photos and other information about your plant? If you or your husband prefer, my e-mail is at bottom of page www.homecitrusgrowers.co.uk