Restricted Shipping of Plants?

I used to work for Park Seed/Wayside Gardens. There were some restrictions on certain plants that we could not ship into several states. Does anyone happen to know if there are any current restrictions? Is there a place where a list might be available?

The only times I have heard of any concern, was when mailing to CA, Canada and out of the US. Most of the time those can even be overlooked if you are very careful to NOT mail any soil. The post office does keep lists of restrictions and they can tell you about a particular area but be forewarned that book is bigger than a regular phone book! Other than what I mentioned above, caution has to be exercised when it comes to what my be a noxious weed elsewhere. Hope this helps.

Thanks, Badseed. That puts my mind at ease a little. And now I recall, since you mentioned "noxious weed", several, honeysuckle vine for one. Of course, Wayside would sell it where ever they could. :) I'm planning on trading/SASE plants in the future and I didn't want to get in trouble. If I have any doubts, I'll check at the post office as you suggested. But I'll not request the BOOK. :) :) Thanks again.

I have sent plants many times to California. I do take off all the soil/wrap roots in wet paper towel/plastic bag around. All have arrive safely in good condition, nobody stopped them, ever. Just don't write "plants". Whereby the nurseries have their nursery name on all.

hotlanta, I was trying to explain to Melissa_Ohio why I could not send her Kudzu. Don't forget, this cannot be shipped anywhere it is NOT actively growing :)

awww... no kudzu?
why not?!?!?!
lol
why would *anyone* want kudzu, anyway?
actually.. i dont think i've every really seen kudzu in the wild
but i've heard such horrible things about it...
the name alone strikes fear in some people :)

It should. It looks like a dahlia on steriods when you try to tackle it. I dug a 3' deep and 6' wide hole the othere day trying to get one kudzu "hand" out of the ground. It is awful!

oh geez
i'm glad i've never encountered it, then
lol

There was a show on a couple of years ago and I am thinking it was Victory Garden. Anyway, I think they were growing Kudzu so that it was contained or getting it somewhere. After the vines were dried, they weaved it sort of basket style and used it as edging for their beds. It really looked awesome and very natural.

Fortunately, I do not have kudzu. You know it was brought to the states for erosion control.

Well that one backfired didn't it!

"eyes"

Besides the invasiveness issue, companies will not ship certain plants to certain states unless the plants have been certified to be free of disease. Some companies don't want to go through the certification process, so they won't ship those plants to those areas. In California, the regulated plants and diseases are those that would adversely affect agriculture, especially fruit. For example, things that I get from Stokes Tropicals (Louisiana) have a certificate of inspection on the outside of the box. In that case, I think it is the state of LA saying that the plants are "clean". I have never seen where a company would not send a noxious weed (e.g. pampas grass) to California. The departments of agriculture for each state should have a list of what can be sent there and what is restricted.

I'm from Atlanta originally, there used to be Kudzu jokes...

How do you plant Kudzu?
...Drop the seeds and run.
How do you care for the young plants?
...Put motor oil on the leaves so they don't damage as they scrape across the ground (from the high speed of growth)
What else?
...Mulch with concrete blocks.
When do you plant Kudzu?
...In the middle of the night, so the neighbors don't see you and shoot you.

Oh and btw, Kudzu was brought for erosion control, yes - and I've heard Japanese beetles were brought for Kudzu control.

well that makes sense.. since kudzu was introduced from japan, right?

those beetles need to do their jobs! :)

I sowed some kudzu seed a while back and nothing has happened. Is this a case of a lull before the storm. If so, I'd better start packing!

Sue

NC prohibits ribes into the state, due to the notion that they carry a fungus(? or I forget what). Many states did earlier, but have repealed the law with the advent of more information.

mom2four:
I may be wrong but as far as i know kudzu is not hardy this far north

oh, i'm sure it would manage ... lol
it probably wouldnt thrive, but i'm sure it would manage up there :)

I dont know troy, we have it here in Maryland. Nasty stuff. It covers everything, looks like a big green blanket,chokes out trees and other plants.

Ribes were prohibited in some states because they are an intermediate host for a rust disease of white pine trees.

Kelli, that was originally thought to be true, but has been ruled out lately.

prudence-when did you plant those kudzu seed? Those plants haven't come out of dormency here yet, but when they do, all of a sudden the vines are everywhere. Yes, have your bags ready! And how close are your neighbors?

Dravencat: hmmm don't know you are a zone warmer that can make alot of difference in some plants

troy:
I believe Kudzu will grow where you are but will winter kill. My ex mother in law grew some, and she's in Pennsauken.

Kudzu is gaining in cold-hardiness as it migrates north and west. The roots go VERY deep, and will overwinter. I *really* wouldn't plant it anywhere...

I went on a vacation to TN last fall and saw all of the Kudzu covering the trees and well~~ everything else! When I got back home I looked it up on the internet. Interesting stuff they use it for, everything from basket making, jams and jelly's, livestock feed and medicines. I also found out that it's one of the best plants that I could feed to my iguana! I also saw a tv program on Kudzu shortly after that. But I do agree, it really needs to go if it's smothering every living thing it reaches!

According to the entry on Kudzu in the Southern Living Garden Book:
Native to Japan. The Vine That Ate the South; has covered millions of acres since it was introduced in 1876. Smothers arbors, telephone poles, houses and fields - and any plant in its path - at the rate of up to 1 ft. per day. Thrives under almost any condition. ... Too invasive for garden use unless you're hiding from the government and need something to cover your tracks. Its good points: Tubers and leaves are edible, and you can make a tasty jelly from the flowers.

They make flour from kudzu, too.