Waiting, I don't think that restriction covers cuttings of Ficus so I think anywhere in the U.S. is okay for dormant cuttings.  They are concerned not only with the nematodes but also Japanese beetles, and both state the regulated material is soil, humus, plants with roots, corms, etc.  Your link to the HLB article is what I was referring to earlier in post #13.  Just some hobby growers thinking the regulations weren't meant for them or that no harm would come by ignoring them.  A friend in Simi Valley told me they even stripped the fruit from his tree up there and sprayed his yard to help ensure the spread of the disease was stopped (at least 50 miles north of the problem area).  Millions of people have been impacted by the discovery of HLB in California.  Definitely not a joke.

Centurion, I believe Australia is the most restrictive for importation anywhere in the world. Oregon is more restrictive than California when it comes to chestnuts (I cannot ship there without a phyto for each order but Oregon growers can ship to here in California.  Both states have the same pest concerns.  I had a fun time (not really) talking with Oregon state officials this fall.

Waiting, I suggest you make a trip to Ong Nursery in San Diego and stop by and see Jon while you're there.  Quang Ong imports quite a few things in large quantities from Pine Island Nursery so the phyto and inspection fees are spread over many plants.  I bought a lychee from him as well as jaboticaba and other things.  I bought my mango from Leo Manuel but gave up on that and gave it away after watching it suffer damage two winters in a row.  Jon may even have some pitanga seedlings to share. :)

Hi everyone,

Thank you for taking the time to reply to my question. It has been very informative and it is great to see people generously taking the time to respond.

To each their own... I don't think I will have any cuttings shipped to California after all, based on the blanket exclusion highlighted by Waiting. 



regards
boffin

I want to correct statements I've made in posts #6 and #29. Cuttings are prohibited (even without roots, soil, etc.) under the nematode quarantine if coming from AL, AR, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, NC, SC, TX and Puerto Rico.

Boffin, your best source is probably from Jon in February since it's too late to order from Davis.  Maybe I would have what you wanted as well.  You can send a PM with what you're interested in.  Thanks for making the decision to follow the regulations.

Gary, I have one pitanga in the ground but only got a few fruits this year.  I've got another four in pots.  If you make it as far as Isleton some day, you're welcome to one.  One of the ones in a pot is one I got from Jon a few years ago that I need to get into the ground!  My jaboticaba had maybe 30 fruits this year and has hundreds of flower buds now and it's been satisfying to see it do well.  Jeff Earl in Modesto has a mango that I picked up the same time as I picked up mine a few years ago and the last I heard it was growing pretty well.  Steve from Exotica does make it up north some of the time and he came to my place maybe in June when I had him deliver some other types of tejecote and a carob.  I know Steve has some jaboticaba but don't recall seeing him carry mango.  I hope your cancer treatments go well, sorry to hear about that.

Jake, it sounds like you didn't work at a sorting center and see the canine unit.  They open lots of packages though only a small percentage have plants in them.  Since you're in Florida which is moderately concerned about pests I'm certain they have canine units periodically inspecting packages at sorting centers.

And then there's that pesky little question about what you can get away with doing...as opposed to what it is you are supposed to be doing...or not doing.

It's an ethical question.   How you answer it is up to you, I suppose...

This somewhat reminds me of a guy that lived in a rural area about 45 minutes south of me.  About five years ago when it was a very hot day with a north wind, bringing very dry air.  He decided to mow his over grown patch of dry weeds.  One of his family members told him he was crazy and that he was going to start a fire.  He dismissed the concerns and continued on.  He did start a fire which quickly spread to the place next door which was a hay dealer and $2,000,000 of stacked hay was burnt up.  The hay broker had insurance coverage of their own but that insurance company understandably made a claim against the negligent neighbor.  The negligent neighbor had answered the ethics question of whether he should be mowing or not on this dry hot day and now he had a claim that greatly exceeded his own insurance coverage.  He was unprepared to answer for the damage he had caused.  No big deal.