I thought I read somewhere that Brugmansias came from South America. My DH and I will be in Chile. Does anyone have experience in bringing in seeds or cuttings? There was someone at this fall's roundup who traveled extensively and brought plants of seeds (I don't exactly know what) into Ca.
Bringing foreign seed or such to CA
You have to have permits to bring seeds and cuttings into the US legally. Seeds are easier to bring in than cuttings. You can apply on line for a permit that allows you to bring in "small lots" of seeds. Cuttings would have to be quarantined. Trying to get them in without declaring them might get you fined and the cuttings would get confiscated. The US is trying to keep out pests and diseases that would decimate plants and crops here. Even when seeds and plants are brought in legally, there is always a chance that the seeds and plant parts are not insect and disease free. California is even stricter about what it lets in. I suggest you contact your local Cooperative Extension Office agent for specific information. I learned my lesson a long time ago. My DH and I spent a week in Hawaii (My first.). I went nuts collecting seed (Like any true plant nut.). Luckily I placed the seed into small plastic film canisters. Once home I took my time getting around to planting the seed. When I DID open the canisters, I found dead insects had hatched out of some of the seed, but having nowhere to go, they died. They might have been harmess in our environment, but then again they might not.
Navigate through this link to apply. Be sure you specify that you want "small lots of seeds" in one of the blanks (I can't remember which but it is down in the lower half of the application.) because you are not specifically asked that question. "Small lots" is not defined by anything I have read.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/
There is a very,very small chance that you could find anything down south that we don't already have.
I can't imagine anything that got inspected by the state of CA would not get taken, CA doesn't allow much in.
Ok, that thought is over!