dragonking1959

 listed

 fig cittings Medici HR Black #1

Uhm, ask her: http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/profile/1371270

Well cuttings are brought in illegally and sold as what they really are. This is how we have figs from all over the world. Just a simple FIG fact.

That is Olga, She is a very trustworthy fig collector. She clearly explains all the details of the fig cuttings she is offering in her auction. She is very well know in the fig community. I bet that fig variety will make a nice  jewel to any fig collection.

Yes, Olga is a trusted fig collector, enthusiast and eBay seller and a very generous source of great varieties. I would not hesitate to bid on anything listed by her and follow her on ebay just to make sure I see her listings in a timely manner... As we all know... timing is everything...

dragonking1959 purchased a bunch of trees from me

[QUOTE=pofigist]dragonking1959

 listed

 fig cittings Medici HR Black #1

I trust Dragonking1959(aka Olga), even met her. She has an awesome collection.

Who is the source of the cuttings though? And who wrote the description?

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/291944578813

So , the answer is clear; it is ok to bring  cuttings from other continent and sell it on eBay.

Good to know that it is not illegal anymore.

[QUOTE=pino]With 18888 positive feedbacks, 100% feedback sounds like very trusted seller.  The posting is fully explained it sounds like a nice fig!

Fancy names? 
Personally I prefer to know figs by their original historic names.  This ebay post clearly says the original name is not known and named after the location it was found.   Sounds fair to me. [/QUOTE]

 Not to spoil your excitement about numbers of positive feedback, but...
Not 18888 ,it  is 1888 and out of 146 pages of feedback 144 for being a good buyer.
Has nothing to do with selling fig cuttings.
 Nothing personal,just remember that seller who was selling "black"
figs from Russia was a bad guy just few days ago.

I'm not so sure what's the point behind this whole conversation is. Olga is a long time member of this forum and other forums and has a huge fig collection from around the world that would make any fig grower envious. They also sell Brown Turkey in Europe which has the same description. To me a scam means selling a variety under a different name. This is not the case here.

[QUOTE=pofigist]So , the answer is clear; it is ok to bring  cuttings from other continent and sell it on eBay.

Good to know that it is not illegal anymore.[/QUOTE]
Its only illegal if you get caught.

I'm not sure who pofigist is, but know Olga. I believe that you have your sellers confused.

Hello, everyone!
Thank you very much for nice words..
Yes, I don't sell on Ebay all the time..
Only if I can share something real good or unique..
I think I write in description all info, and when people want to know more I always answering the questions....
I don't advertise my auction on any forums..
I crazy about figs myself and if I can help other people to get something good..
And yes, I try to buy as much as I can, I hope people in US will continue to grow figs and we all will be able to have more varieties in our collections..

Happy Holidays!
Olga

Happy Holidays, Olga! Best wishes to you and yours for a healthy, happy, prosperous and fruitful New Year!

I just bought unk cuttings from Olya(Olga), advertised as unknowns, so I see no problem with what was advertised and what I purchased. Sounds like a delicious unk fig variety. They should do okay where I live since I am about 2 hours southwest of Olya. Thanks for the nice purchase.

Who said it was illegal? I can't speak for the USA but in Canada, it's not illegal to import fig cuttings from Italy or many other country's providing you do it correctly. From Italy to Canada for instance, there are very legal (and common) ways to import fig cuttings provided they don't include leaves, roots or soil. We eat all manner of imported fruits and vegetables. That's how they do it. Not illegal. Today I think I ate a kiwi grown in Mexico and a strawberry from somewhere....not here.

Phytosanitary certificates are pretty common. I don't know if that's what happened in this specific case...And I don't know Olga....But I'll bet we've all eaten an imported product pretty recently.

Then - the other point already mentioned. If you're dead set against anyone having a fig tree that wasn't imported in under official circumstances....and you own trees whereby you can't confirm their origin....Then you may want to consider destroying your collection....Where do you think your Chicago Hardy came from?

Happy figging everyone!

[QUOTE=TorontoJoe]Who said it was illegal? I can't speak for the USA but in Canada, it's not illegal to import fig cuttings from Italy or many other country's providing you do it correctly. From Italy to Canada for instance, there are very legal (and common) ways to import fig cuttings provided they don't include leaves, roots or soil. We eat all manner of imported fruits and vegetables. That's how they do it. Not illegal. Today I think I ate a kiwi grown in Mexico and a strawberry from somewhere....not here.

Phytosanitary certificates are pretty common. I don't know if that's what happened in this specific case...And I don't know Olga....But I'll bet we've all eaten an imported product pretty recently.

Then - the other point already mentioned. If you're dead set against anyone having a fig tree that wasn't imported in under official circumstances....and you own trees whereby you can't confirm their origin....Then you may want to consider destroying your collection....Where do you think your Chicago Hardy came from?

Happy figging everyone!

[/QUOTE]

HarveyC Registered:06/02/08 Posts: 3,303

Posted 07/31/13 Reply with quote  #4  You are required to have an import permit through APHIS and the cuttings must be sent with a phytosanitary certificate and then you must keep them in quarantine for a period of time specified on your import permit (2 years, I believe).  Cuttings from Canada are not required to undergo a quarantine period but all other foreign origins do. __________________ Harvey - Correia Farms Isleton, CA (Sacramento County) USDA zone 9b, Sunset zone 14

I'm pretty sure you can get cuttings from Canada, Thailand, China,  somewhere in South America..
If I will find papers from USDA I will tell you exactly..But they saying info keep changing, so first you need to check list of countries from where you can get cuttings on USDA web..

Sellers aren't required to show sources when they sell cuttings. The only reason figs are restricted is a longhorn beetle which I'm pretty certain lives in Malaysia, don't quote me. In any case, the question if Olga's authenticity as a seller has been resolved. I like to get the opinion of others on sellers, but I think people are getting very very paranoid. As figs become more interesting, more people buy, grow and sell them.

By the way, thanks for weighing in Olga.

I think it is that same longhorn beetle that is wiping out all of the figs on the island of Malta. I used to think that members here were responsible enough to handle something like that but now that they are importing to distribute I take that back.

What drives people to want exotic varieties from far off lands? Netflix series? Money? Loneliness? The people who brought the varieties we have today did it for love...

Anyway, for those of you who have not been around very long, the forums are not immune to scammers, although some people will publicly deny that to the bitter end, for some reason. But the reality is that people can say "I just broke the law and imported cuttings from the farthest corners of the earth" and there is nothing that the USDA can do about it. Why? Because this is the internet and people lie, seriously, it is a golden opportunity to rip people off. If you see someone talking about getting such and such from Europe they might be setting out bait for unsuspecting newbies such as yourself to message them and request a purchase. Ever wonder why some people seem to stick their noses into every thread to disclose that they have the topic variety?

More people are selling figs now and that is about it, overall interest has declined in the past 2 years, fewer new growers, less interesting conversations, less experience being shared overall. 

Just my 2c. I doubt many people will want to read it but it is a good thing to remember that how we behave will attract or repel certain types of people and that will shape our future.

Hello, everyone!
This is very interesting..
I was wondering who is a "pofigist" and why this post happen now, when this listing go for few weeks already..
And why this person don't put the name anywhere?
Harvey.. this will be interesting for you..
You remember scamers from 2 years from now who made crazy my auctions? Guess who???
This person.. who I did try help in beginning trying to put me in trouble for a some time now..
Harvey..I think you need to finish what you start early..
Olya.

"More people are selling figs now and that is about it, overall interest has declined in the past 2 years, fewer new growers, less interesting conversations, less experience being shared overall. "

I have been a member since 2010 or before, I would have to look up the old email of membership.
Over the years I notice a new group of newbies rotate through 4f4.
I find it funny that the newest members seem to have the most to say.
Disgusted with the forum or people on it at times made me not want to be a part of
it what so ever. So I deleted my account. Well I get excited about figs too and then end up re joining.

None the less I have been the route with the usda.
They contacted me a year or more later about cuttings I bought from china.
I had after getting the first letter, ripped up the fig trees from those cuttigs
and I took pictures with name tags still attached.
Then I put them on a roaring hot  fire and burnt them to ashes.
I just so happened to video them burning as well.
Those photos and movie was the only thing that prevented a private visit by the usda
in my area.  I called them told them what I did and sent a man a email with the pictures and movie.
We discussed the laws and I apologized.
He was fine with that and dropped it.
Others may not be so lucky as he said he could take any questionable trees he likes.
I did not want him in my newly growing orchard.

I'm losing the thrill of figs or trying to help noobs.
I just grow em.

Doug

About longhorn beetle.. I think this is a real dangerous..And everyone need to be very careful , if this creaure will get here.. we will lose all our figs, so, please, please, be careful.. Our country have no defence to this beetle.. 
On other hand.. I find out here in US we do have ambrosia beetle, what also killing figs trees..
And this beetle live in north part of US.. So, everyone need to be careful and check they plants all the time..
Before I find out about this ambrosia beetle I was not so paranoid.. but after I find out in the middle of the night with flash light I went outside and start checking every one my plant..
And I find out few plants have deformation on the trunk near soil, this deforming happen must be 2-3 years from now, nothing fresh.. I think because I'm putting figs on top of red mulch, covering soil in pots with red mulch, keep spraying plants with 10% Clorox and mix of neem oil and dish soap, I must be kill them back then and even don't know about this till now.. So, I guess, me spraying kill them all.. So, everyone, please, check your plants, and be very careful..
Thank you!
Olga.

Good advice.
We have the beetles in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Alan in NC reported his.
Just last year while walking in orchard I noticed a hole right where I took a cutting
from the year before. The hole has sawdust around it so I knew I had a problem.
I went back to malathion to spray my trees. I spray early spring before leaves bud
and in the fall after harvest.
this year no holes.
Although I really do not like the idea of using chemicals, but when it comes to borrers
I do what is necessary.

Sorry if off topic

Doug

Funny, Olga, question was not about you, but you took it personally.

All I want to know if it is legal to bring/sell/buy cuttings from continent .
I simply do not want to buy something which will include as a bonus visit from Agriculture.
Do not imply any other ideas.

The implications are in the very first post, although edited, still there is an implication that lead to Olya's conclusion that she is being used as an example. The ebay listing is Olya's. The words new trend/scam are sort of personal if her ebay listing is displayed.  Unknowns are really not fancy names. Now I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt of your intention if you just asked....


Is it a new trend/scam to bring cuttings from other country illegally and sell under fancy names?

.....without posting her ebay user name and listing. You would have received replies to your question without all of this drama.

  At this point the USDA has monitored ebay for years and has allowed ebay, the seller, paypal, and in affect the agent, to profit from this set up without warnings added or valid disclaimers.

  They are all complicit  in their actions in the relation to profiting from collusive entrapment. I would contact my attorney and not let them in my house period. I would push that fact to an arrest whereby a significant lawsuit against all parties mentioned are enacted.

  You can go to US ebay right now and the listings show they are from out of the country. It has been this way for years. So if this is "illegal", ebay and paypal are wantonly, repeatedly, knowingly and purposefully, committing and profiting from continued perpetuation of illegal activity subjecting it's users to unreasonable and unwarranted interventions and collusive confiscations for profit.

  If this is "still" happening a class action lawsuit could be prudent

[QUOTE=pofigist]All I want to know if it is legal to bring/sell/buy cuttings from continent .[/QUOTE]

So why didn't you ask that simple question instead of implying there was a scam at hand? Easy enough, no?

@Garlic_Mike eBay has been warned about the fig scammers repeatedly ripping off people and has been provided with hard evidence of their activities by senior members of the forums and yet they continue to ignore the info, continue to refuse to take the scammers down and in effect continue to aid and abet the criminal's fraudulent activities... No surprises in anything that eBay does to ensure that their fees continue to come in...

Wayne, I agree, there's too much drama in pofigist posts, and one cannot help but conclude that it is personal despite him/her denying it. I don't think that there is enough space over here to list all foreign fig varieties that are being listed on eBay by domestic sellers. First of all I don't buy anything from overseas any more, especially after getting visited by the AD a couple of years ago, but this is what I believe: If the USDA has any problems with figs of a foreign origin, then the first thing that they must do is to ban all fig sales on eBay, confiscate everyone's collection in the US and then burn everything.

Yes, I know

I have personally and repeatedly given them extensive and specific information on many of them for several years.

I kept getting Dausername stuff pulled for being misrepresented by pictures, but they do not care, so any AG guy can kiss off with the rest of the made up crap. Any disease related to fig plants already exists in this country and the enforcement point is mute and purposefully irrelevant.

 I gave them, I believe, the 11 different usernames, and paypal information with the same address for Peony77 going back to 2008/9.

 If I get arrested it would be for beating the crap out of the AG guy for BS. Not for the plants.

Radyslava, seargantwardog, ebay. Dead crap from losers. Thanks again ebay!

Spot on, Mike, Spot on! I tried with them as well to no avail... they should be accountable but they are not....

So you saying in Malta this beetle a long time now?
I hear they got in South part of Europe not with ficus carica with ornamental ficus..
But, this is real scare.. And you saying this longhorn beetle already in US???
I was watching links on Internet.. and this is real bad.. One guy born his huge fig tree with tourches and kill them, tree survive..
Interesting if Clorox will kill them? 
I hear in Asia they have some other insect what kill this longhorn beetle..
I was myself very surprise when I saw on papers from USDA about they Ok with China..I think they come from China, so I talk to guy from USDA and told him , they need to change it, because of this beetle..
Fair sound good too..
I was wondering why couple years back In Italy they start collect samples from all varieties..I guess they was know bad things could happen..
I was hoping we don't have them here...
I still can't get over the Malta..

This post has covered a couple of things, one being the importation of invasive species. It seems apparent that some don't realize the economic and environmental damage that can follow an accidental release of an invasive species which can destroy not only commercial crops but also large tracks of forestland. 
In the northeast the asian long beetle (Anoplophor Glabripennis), a species which was first discovered in the US about 20 years ago, has become a persistent problem. The USDA and state agencies have spent over $150 million trying to contain it in Worcester county alone.
The Hemlock wooly adelgid has taken a toll on northern and eastern forest.
The total economic impact of invasive species is the tens of billions annually. Control alone in Calfornia cost several hundred million per year.

Their is a reason why the USDA has these checks in place.

Huge problem as the world shrinks and people have access to the farthest shores... Not nly in the plant kingdom... look at Florida and the issues with the monster snakes/pythons in the Everglades as well as invasive fish species...

The Emerald Ash Borer was discovered in the US near Detroit in 2002, Connecticut 2010.

The Ambrosia or Borer Beatle was discovered in California in 2003.

The Asian Longhorned Beatle was discovered in the US in 1996, NY 2007 and Boston in 2010 and has killed millions of ash trees throughout the Eastern US.

 There is another pest wiping out all the oak trees West of the Rocky Mountain range.

Nobody wants to spread anything around and think most affected wood could be noticed.

Point being A decade late and a dollar short. These circumstances are as likely, if not more than likely, to be spread among US trades than international ones at this point.

Hi, John!
Thank you very much for information!
We do have many people who grow figs in area you are talking about, please, tell how we can protect our gardens?
Like I said before..I'm crazy about my garden, so I today already went and got Malathion, mix it with water and spray all my plants.. just in case..In store on some bottles I saw some kill Japanise beetle, do I need to get those solutions too? And how often we need to spray?
I also got Captain Jacks deadbug, this one also killing borers , beetles, bagworms, caterpillars..
Thank you very much!
Olya.

Missed the Hemlocks

It is probably better to subscribe to "due diligence" and to keep an eye out for these "apex plant predators", and address findings as they occur, as opposed to chemical baths IMO.

Mike, last two years I got lots of figs from North parts of US,and from all over US... nothing from outside... so I'm worry..
I think better to be safe then sorry..
This is was a fight for me here for many years to keep my plants alive, last year I found the way to don't worry no more about nematodes, rust, FMV,  rain, flooding, plus hurricane didn't help.. 
I do know about loonghorn beetles for few years now..Paolo warn about them few years back..
But.. we do have a real problem here, becides them..
And.. even I live in south part.. I'm very worry..This climate too good for any bags..
So I bath today all my figs.. many still have almost ripe figs, but I spray any way..I can wait till next year..

You must be much farther south than I am Olga. My figs have been dormant for two months.

Here only few figs go dormant, or go in different time, right now many start grow again..

[QUOTE=Olga]Here only few figs go dormant, or go in different time, right now many start grow again..[/QUOTE]

Hi Olga ,
Are those pictures in the auction yours? Because I see another auction of the same variety and same pictures from a seller based in Italy. The sellers eBay name is seeds4gardens. On your auction you have same pictures and almost same description . Here is the link.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291944578813

Hi, Vinny, my own still have no figs on..
But , they originally come from the same place..
And another thing..
I don't want to say about this before..But this #1 most likely on the same line like Ponte Tresa.. They are so good..
But, because of auctions in the paste went crazy..
Was just buy it now and not a crazy price..
But I real don't want to keep this just for myself..
This one deserve to be shared...
And I'm happy were they went..
Hope they all will root and this variety will make people happy..
Olya.

Wow… What happened to advice “Ask before you buy on eBay”?

Most of inquiries include name of seller and item in question. Mine was the same.

Now let’s forget about emotions and consider only facts.

1. Seller of cuttings is Saint with knowledge of problems with fig trees in Italy, and by his/her own statement has a problem with her own trees. Still selling cuttings on eBay. Too much for keeping fig community safe.

2. Nobody knows rules and laws of import of cuttings to USA.

3. Some, (I will not say most or all, but some) members want to get new variety known or unknown, at any expense  from other country despite the fact that it can be risks to USA agriculture and possibility of destroying commercial orchards.

And some members prefer to get emotional instead of discussing an issue.

Regarding statement “Who is Pofigist?” It was stated many tines here that some Government authorities monitor this forum for whatever reason.

So it will be “smart” to let them know who you are and what have you done.

 And it always was a beauty of forums that you can use a nickname. And I am not looking for popularity or chance to sell/buy using this forum. And I do not care about fact that many do. After all it is expensive hobby and it is only reasonable to get some $$ to cover this obsession.

OK, "pofigist" or "Peonia" Or how you call yourself now? you did have so many names in the past..
First of all.. USDA know me very well.. We comunicate all the time..
Second I don't have sick plants.. But because I'm getting plants all the time, I want my plants prevent from getting sick..
Now.. you try to sell figs all the time.. with little success.. how I understand..
But, I hear you scaming people with other plants too..not only with figs.. You putting " fancy names" on basic varieties..I guess hoping to get top $???
I just don't understand, why you don't want to try at list one time to be honest..
And beside.. What about Greece? And other countries?
You jumping all over here.. why? Because you try to find the way to start making money?
I told you before.. Most people here grow figs because they love them, and yes, some to grow to make the money..I don't blame them..But at list when they sell them, they sell them with the right name..


Why I decide to share this time?
I real don't like to sell, real don't like to cut my plants..
But like you are saying.. With situation what going on in South Europe, how I can be the only one, who have this variety, specially If I know how good this one is?
I already got my lesson with LUV..
I did have this variety and lost few years back..
If before I share this one with somebody else, now we will have this variety, but..in the past I did have my collection very private..
But if something happen to me.. all this varieties will be lost..My husband hate figs.. he will get rid off all of them..and will don't think twice..
I love my figs, I'm watching them, try to do everything for them..but I'm not a 20 years any more..
How now I can have them only for myself when right in this topic people saying about problems?
And no..I don't planning to sell any..
But they will go to good hands.. to people who real love and care about figs..
For some reason you choose figs for yourself.. just to make the money..
You real don't care about figs, or people..
Few years already you trying.. and things don't work for you like you wish..
Ones again.. may be find some other way to make the money?
I almost dead..I don't care about money..why I will?
I can't take them with me..
Olya

"And it always was a beauty of forums that you can use a nickname. And I am not looking for popularity or chance to sell/buy using this forum. And I do not care about fact that many do. After all it is expensive hobby and it is only reasonable to get some $$ to cover this obsession." It would be helpful if you told us where you sell your figs and under which name, because I'm having a tough time believing that you are here to discuss figs. If you ever find out what is legal or what is not, please let us know.

Ok, just few minutes ago I was begging you, Olga, not to get personal.

As you wish, I will repeat my PM to you