Dept of Agriculture CA rejection!

15 years ago

I had just did a trade for rose cuttings. No package but a letter from the State of CA saying they rejected the package because of possible contamination. I have been trading rose cuttings and other plants for over 20 years and this is the first time this has ever happened.

I called and talked to the Deputy Commissioner at the local Dept. of Agriculture and she said there is no exemption for the whole state of GA. I guess CA automatically rejects any plants from GA because of nematodes and Japanese Beetles. I also just found out some restrictions apply. The cuttings must be 12" above the ground to rule out nematodes, there must be NO soil, and to make sure it is OK you must get a Sanitary Certification from your Dept of Agriculture GA. They have to come out and witness that the cuttings are 12" or higher and that there are no pests. Might or might not be a fee. Insane!

They either ship it back at the shipper's cost or destroy it. The package is being held at my post office. Who knows how long it has been sitting there. They won't release it to me. I am really ticked off.

I never mark my packages on the outside, "live plants" or "plants" because I had read on the Gardenweb about stuff like this happening. I guess my trading days are over. And I really wanted Secret Garden Musk. Oh well.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

User
15 years ago
Welcome to the new era of Dept of Ag plant management. This is simply the Ag Dept applying the same rules of plant transport to personal trades that apply to commercial nurseries. Frankly, its about time. You and I should have to observe the same rules that nurseries do, because nobody wants to be the epicenter of an outbreak of a pathogen or the introduction of Japanese Beetles into a region that previously didn't have such problems. Its for the best, like it or not.
buffbeauty
15 years ago
I'm glad I live in Georgia. We already have all the bugs, pathogens, kudzu, nematodes and what have you. Boll weevil.

I think I'll change my handle to BollWeevil.
Related Professionals
Simpsonville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Ilchester Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Lake Oswego Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Garden City Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Downey Landscape Contractors · Fort Worth Landscape Contractors · Pleasant Prairie Landscape Contractors · Vashon Landscape Contractors · Wallingford Landscape Contractors · Yuba City Landscape Contractors · East Norriton Landscape Contractors · Brandon Roofing & Gutters · Newton Roofing & Gutters · Queens Roofing & Gutters · New Orleans Roofing & Gutters
buffbeauty
15 years ago
The CA quarantine officer was very, very polite and apologetic about the return of my shipment. I'm very impressed with that agency. They thanked me profusely for offering to show the letter of rejection to the GA postmaster where my shipment originated, explaining that it's hard for them to keep up with the state by state regulations. I'm not sending soil anywhere anymore. I root in vermiculite bands & bump up to soil quarts when the roots show.
anntn6b
15 years ago
buff,
Do a websearch on Chili Thrips and see the next serious pest. Then read up on Rose Rosette Disease.
There are so very many air borne pests that propagation in vermiculite isn't enough.

Since the Secret Garden Musk Climber is from California, it is possible for you to get it in California.