Register  |   | 
 
Encanto Farms Nursery > Topics > Figs From Malta?
 
 


Reply
  Author   Comment  
Likeo

Registered:
Posts: 268
Posted Reply with quote  #1 
Can I order figs from Malta? Is that illegal without a permit?
__________________
Figs: Conadria and Little Ruby
figgary

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 833
Posted Reply with quote  #2 
It is illegal as well as ill-advised. Malta has a borer problem with their figs. Most of the best were brought here years ago, so stick to buying those that are here already.
__________________
Gary in CA 9A  Seeking: Bebera Branca*, Colonel Littman's Cross
Likeo

Registered:
Posts: 268
Posted Reply with quote  #3 

__________________
Figs: Conadria and Little Ruby
Likeo

Registered:
Posts: 268
Posted Reply with quote  #4 
Errrr
__________________
Figs: Conadria and Little Ruby
figpig_66

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,678
Posted Reply with quote  #5 
Every country has a border problem with their figs including usa. Usda will intercept your cuttings and burn them. Only if you get caught.
__________________
RICHIE BONI
HICKORY LOUISIANA ZONE 8B WARM HUMID
WINRERS ARE VERY MILD LOW 20'S BUT WARMS RIGHT UP DURING THE DAY. SUMMER IS EXTREMELY HOT & HUMID 100 degrees 100% humidity fig tree grow like crazy but some split from rain & humidity
Wish list. Col de dame blanc
Col de rimada
Lsu numbered figs
Lewi

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 149
Posted Reply with quote  #6 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Likeo
Errrr


Reminds me of a fishing expedition.

In case it's not, please e-mail philip.h.berger@aphis.usda.gov or call him at 919-855-7400.

I'm sure he could asnswer you better than anyone else on the forum.
__________________
West Florida (West of the Apalachiola River as defined by the proclamation of 1763). zone 8a winters can get cold for figs...down to 12 F twice in last four years.

Lewi = Levite 
Esteban_McFig

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 70
Posted Reply with quote  #7 
Save yourself a headache, contact drivewayfarmer (fig forum member) and see if he can sell you any of his "Malta Black" cuttings. I paid for four cuttings from him a few months ago, he over-supplied me at no extra charge, and they are impossible to fail. Because i am a noob (maybe why he gifted me with extras), i used the extras to experiment with different rooting techniques, growth media, etc. With this particular variety, all succeeded despite some extreme treatments; I was losing about a third of my other starts when first beginning and still lose 10-15% even though I've now evolved to a particular, highly sterile, sphagnum-based system at a particular humidity level/temperature combination combined with paranoid/obsessive levels of attention to detail... Anyway, his Malta Black is indestructible--extraordinary root systems, fast top growers. Grow your own
__________________
Stephen A.
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Wish list: Syrian varieties, esp. Abyad, Barada, Hmari, Sefrawi, Sumaki. Ok, well also Moroccan varieties, whichever are best
Frankallen

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 994
Posted Reply with quote  #8 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Likeo
Can I order figs from Malta? Is that illegal without a permit?


You can, if you want a visit from the USDA Man, like what happened to me about 2 years ago!
__________________
Frank from Bama-  Zone 7-b Alabama

....................................................

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever".

Mahatma Gandhi
Smyfigs

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 1,658
Posted Reply with quote  #9 
And, it happened to me as well.
__________________

Meg-Hardiness Zone 10a

Looking for...

Socorro Blk
Wuhan 
Jolly Tiger
Lamperia Preta
Herschtetten
St. Jean
Black Ischia

"The best way to show my gratitude is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy." ~ Mother Teresa  
"Do not pass by a man in need for you may be the hand of God to him." ~Proverbs 3:27~  
"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." ~Job 5:4

 
gorgi

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,864
Posted Reply with quote  #10 
Maltese Falcon, Maltese Beauty, Malta Purple Red, GM172, etc  ...
__________________
George, NJ_z7a.
Likeo

Registered:
Posts: 268
Posted Reply with quote  #11 
What about ordering from Israel? I have some relatives there
__________________
Figs: Conadria and Little Ruby
gorgi

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,864
Posted Reply with quote  #12 
How so ?!?
__________________
George, NJ_z7a.
gorgi

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,864
Posted Reply with quote  #13 
I just feel that some more explaining is required.

My understanding is that legally (USA) importing any plant material involves THE big red tape expensive procedure (think quarantine).
What is so special about the borer bug?
Why are the 9 countries (maybe excluding Canada) you mentioned Are so special privileged?
... etc.

Also, for many others, avoid buying FOREIGN fig twigs form ebay; USDA does monitor such ebay purchases,
and sooner or later one will get a big headache home (twig confiscating) visit form an USDA agent.
__________________
George, NJ_z7a.
brianm

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 971
Posted Reply with quote  #14 
You can get most varieties now in the States.
__________________
Wish list: Galicia Negra,UC Davis Black Ischia, Maltese Raven
Likeo

Registered:
Posts: 268
Posted Reply with quote  #15 
Look, hell in bug form... (Fig Borer)

Attached Images
jpeg image.jpeg (22.78 KB, 56 views)


__________________
Figs: Conadria and Little Ruby

Chivas

Registered:
Posts: 1,675
Posted Reply with quote  #16 
I had my import permits revoked for several european countries several years ago, prior to this I could import with phytosanitary certificates as long as the material was less than 10 mm in diametre.  Now I would need to pay for risk assessment which could take two years and may not be allowed to import.  The reason was for this bug so I don't bother trying anymore as I am sure the risk will end up being too great ad I won't be allowed to import them anyways.
__________________
Canada Zone 6B
gorgi

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 2,864
Posted Reply with quote  #17 
Anyone thinking that he/she had heard it all; now there is even a COFFEE-berry-borer:

http://www.popsci.com/bug-within-borer-responsible-coffee-crisis

Edit:
I first learned about this problem while our nice recent (wife's vacation - yes, she dragged me along too!)
to HI and visited/toured a very informative coffee farm/processing outfit - Greenwell Farms  - THE best KONA coffee.

Man; we sampled/drank so much coffee that felt somewhat 'hyper' leaving the place.
Our pick : Chocolate Macadamia Nut

http://www.greenwellfarms.com
__________________
George, NJ_z7a.
coolmantoole

Registered:
Posts: 54
Posted Reply with quote  #18 
One thing all of us should consider when we complain about the USDA's policy on importing from fig borer countries.  If the Fig Borer get's through and starts seriously damaging our figs, we would be the ones cursing the customs agents for not doing their jobs the loudest.  It's just something to think about.  God bless.

Marcus
__________________
Marcus
Esteban_McFig

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 70
Posted Reply with quote  #19 
Quote:
Originally Posted by coolmantoole
One thing all of us should consider when we complain about the USDA's policy on importing from fig borer countries.  If the Fig Borer get's through and starts seriously damaging our figs, we would be the ones cursing the customs agents for not doing their jobs the loudest.  It's just something to think about.  God bless.

Marcus


What you said
__________________
Stephen A.
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b)
Wish list: Syrian varieties, esp. Abyad, Barada, Hmari, Sefrawi, Sumaki. Ok, well also Moroccan varieties, whichever are best
TheFigster

Avatar / Picture

Registered:
Posts: 197
Posted Reply with quote  #20 
HELLO

No matter where I get my fig cuttings from, I always use 1/2 bleach and 1/2 dish washing detergent and scrub them down really good before even starting to root them!  I have found that this really helps the plants in terms of rooting and getting anything that might have hitched a ride along unknowingly!
__________________
WISH LIST:I'M IN ZONE 8A BY FORT WORTH, TX  I prefer very sweet figs and two crops a year if possible.  I am now only planting fig trees with green or yellow flesh when ripe! 
Chivas

Registered:
Posts: 1,675
Posted Reply with quote  #21 
The thing with the borer is in wood 10 mm or more it can be laying dormant or lay eggs, this makes it even riskier as even if the borer is not active, it could be lying in wait.
__________________
Canada Zone 6B
Previous Topic | Next Topic
Print
Reply