24-07-2003, 06:02 PM
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relocating to California
(Jan Flora) wrote in
:
In article , Hope
Munro Smith wrote:
Hello,
My husband and I are relocating to California from Texas, and we are
getting contradictory information about whether or which plants we
can take with us. My understanding is that you can take houseplants
that have not spent time outdoors or at least don't have any critters
like fire ants in them. Does anyone have experience with the border
check point and what the procedure is? I don't want to bring a bunch
of plants and then have them thrown out at the border, I'd rather
give them away. Thanks for your help!
until soon, Hope
See if you can have your plants inspected by an ag agent before you
leave TX. The plants need to be insect and disease free. It's not a
big deal, but bringing new bugs/diseases into Calif. could be. The ag
agent would probably give you a piece of paper that says your plants
are clean.
Yes, the border cops in Calif. will ask you about plants. They're
trying to keep bugs/diseases out of the state. It's a big deal, since
California is the food basket
of America.
The last time I drove into Canada from Washington state, they took
away a bag of #1 non-certified potatos. They're trying to keep the
potato blight out of Canada,
and it's present in WA state. (That's the spud blight that caused a
million Irish to
starve to death, and another 1.6 million to move to America in the
1880's. Two pairs of my great-grandparents left Ireland because of the
pratie famine. Our family who stayed behind all died of starvation.)
Take the plant inspection stuff seriously, because it *is* serious.
Don't import anything with bugs or disease. Call your state ag dept.
and ask for an inspection
or ask them what procedure they recommend. You may be able to ask the
border guys in Calif. for an inspection.
Jan
Yes, that's why I'm posting to various gardening groups asking advice.
Sorry if I appear neurotic, I really don't want to have my plants tossed
in the garbage when I reach California! I'm leaning towards giving them
ALL away at this point!
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