Since posting pictures of Monika's brugs I've had several emails for requests on how they can also import Monikas brugs to the states.
First you'll need to contact Monika, either here on DG or ABADS. Then contact the U.S. Dept. of Ag. ( www.aphis.usda ). You can fill out a form online to start the importing process. All information about importing is on the aphis website.
Nadine, sent you an email.
How to import Monika Gottschalk's brugs to U.S.
Dollie, I tried that link..doesn't work for me..
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/index.shtml
This one works.
Is the permit for importing cuttings the same as for importing seeds? Because I have a permit to import seeds just haven't used it.
Contact Monika for...? To see if she'll sell to me?
This message was edited Dec 3, 2008 8:51 PM
Betty the permit for cuttings is different than the one for seeds.
On the cuttings the inpector has to come and approve the site where you will keep your brugs.. they cant be within 10 feet of other plants ..
Yes you contract Monkia to see if see has some cuttings for sale, and than you have to send her the paperwork so she can Fedex them to the port of entry. Which for me is Houston. I am going to apply next year.. She is very reasonal on her prices it's the shipping that cost the most .And from I have seen and heard she sends good healthy cuttings.
Houston will be mine since I know the city..lol...Thanks..
Interesting thread. I know this idea isn't rocket science, but rather than several people going through the process of getting a permit, has anybody considered having one person getting permit to import multiple seed or plants and then redistributing them to others at a nominal fee to cover S & H costs? Just a though.
texasrockgarden,it can't be done that way.The way the quarantine works,the plants go to one address and that is where they must stay for the two year period.
One extra comment concerning cuttings,seed and pollen.Apparently different inspectors have different ideas concerning propagation of the imported plants.My inspector just stresses that no part can leave the premises or be closer than 10 feet to other brugs.
I have grasshoppers that can jump futher than that.
Oh! I see.
One note of caution.Not all import attempts go as planned.Those thinking of doing this should talk to Earl Matthews at Valleygrow.com.When I spoke to him at the spring swap,he had had a very bad,and expensive,experience doing this very thing.In other words,don't risk any money you can't afford to lose.
I have heard the same thing.. We have some wonderful Hybridizers right here in the good ole US of A..
Pollenate folks.. That is how it works...Check your local resources before taking out of the country ...
Kylie
JT, I liked that comment about the grasshoppers! Ten feet doesn't really seem like a safe quarantine distance.
2 years? That's two winters the Imports have to be cut back. Wonder what the rules are on those cuttings? (smile)
The rules are they are not allow with in 10 ft of another plant and they are not allowed to leave the property...LOL House Arrest!
I went round & round trying to get a permit last year. Lots of red tape & run around. In the end, I was told that if you live in MD you have to have a commercial license & the state won't OK it even if APHIS would. So much for little hobby growers like me. I had a dream of raising some nice brugs that were worthy of naming my children after. There is no one to appeal to & I felt like a stupid little nobody to all those "important" people. I started trying to get my questions answered in Oct last year & was told everyone was "on vacation" at that time of year after no one returned my phone calls & messages for a month (wish my husband got month-long paid vacations).
Linda
You cant take cuttings, pollen nothing at all,if they die you must keep them there till the inpector comes and checks them everything is in quarantine for 2 years.
Wow! Wish the Gov was that strict on all the marijuana growers taking over our National Forests. Huh!
Are plants grown from imported Brug seeds germinated in the US quarantined same as imported Plants?
TRG...assuming the seed were imported legally the resulting plants are legal and do not need quarantine.
Country Garden has imported twice.Once was trash after being held too long in customs.The last was sucessful as those seem to have come straight in.It's funny that I can bring in adeniums,plumerias and bulbs from just about anywhere without anything other than the phyto certificate from the originating country.Brugs,from Europe,are a pain in the neck and Europe has only the same diseases and problems that we do.Bulbs from the worlds cesspool are ok but a brug seed from Europe isn't.Makes you say hmmmmm.
Elva, Should the cuttings die, are the dead twigs held for two years?
Truthfully, there's enough genetic material here to, in time, replicate or improve upon some of the imports.
I've seen more good doubles and triples this season than I have in the past three years...a very good sign.
I believe the next two or three years will produce even more interesting, and hopefully, stronger varieties...
Has anyone added up the total costs per cutting through the quarantine period?
Gordo has an excellent point.We have the genetics and plants already here.My experience with the Euro imports is that most of them melt in our summer heat and humidity.There are exceptions of course.Rubirosa come to mind as one of the best.
Another thing to consider...every one in the brug world knows that there are already as many illegal brugs here as there are legal imports.They come in in suitcases and handbags and across the border from Canada.
No you dont hold dead cuttings for 2 years , only till the inpector checks them , then you can toss them I guess. yes we do have some pretty brugs here , But I still Love Monkia's brugs, She knows what she is doing and her brugs are so beautiful. I have a friend in Fl. and the ones she has inported are doing awesome for her. Just look at all her awesome pictures she has shared with us as has Dollie. There has been some beautiful brugs crosses grown here from her seeds Daydreams, Massqurade,Dream Angel ,to name a few plus several others.The Chief came from Euro seeds also I belive. There are so many of Monkia's brugs that I would love to have..
What exactly are you required to quarantine them for? A ten foot quarantine does absolutely nothing as far as safe guarding plants. Insects as has been said already can cover that distance in seconds. Disease can travel miles in the form of spores or more likely from import to other plants on hand, tools, insects or animals. This sounds to me like a make work project for a few government employees. I was wondering if any of you have had this explained to you by the inspectors themselves. I know that the majority of the ones that we deal with in Canada really have no clue what they are looking for or talking about!! Most of the border inspectors that I have dealt with bringing plants into the States couldn't tell a fruit fly from a fungus gnat so it really makes me wonder.
Jim
As with lots of federal regulations, the intent was probably a noble one — to protect our agricultural interests — but how many botanists and biologist were employed to advice the bureaurocratic policy makers on how to draft those policies. My guess is none. To make matters worse, once the policies are in place, they are never removed.
I noticed we can't import Brugs from Canada or Columbia even with a permit. Does anyone know why? Whatever we are being protected against is probably already here. Bugs and viruses are not going to stop at the border.
Monika does have some beautiful Brugs. Every time I see photos of them I start to drool. Yes, some may be here already as may some of the seeds, but from what I have seen, the greater majority are pinks. I tend to gravitate toward the yellows and oranges, although you wouldn't be able to tell from looking at the labels (Most are still in the vegetative growth stage.).
Thanks, Dollie. This has been an interesting read.
It is my understanding that Brugmansia is quarantined because it is a member of the Solanaceae family and susceptible to diseases that can be disastrous to food plants in the same family i.e. - potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, etc., which are major crop plants. When you consider incurable diseases like SB in Brugmansia, quarantine seems sensible.
The government is concerned about food crops being infected by illegally imported ornamentals.
But stem blight already exists in the US. I have had it on my cucumbers and squash before I stopped veg gardening 10 years ago. If Brugs are susceptible, then I would be concerned they would get it from the cukes and squash plants I buy at garden centers.
My new garden will contain both veggies and flowers. I guess I'll just need to keep the Brugs at least 10 feet away from the veggies.
Most of those beautiful crosses we now have in the states, the geneic background can be traced back to Monika's brugmanias, for the most part.
We also have some wonderful hybridizers in the U.S. that have produced some breath-taking beauties, which I also enjoy growing.
I don't know the rules for every state, but in Louisiana Caren (Heavenscent) and I have purchased our imported brugs using only one postentry certificate. I was allowed to pick-up both Caren's imports and mine in New Orleans, and drop off Caren's imports to her in Lake Charles. Saved each of us on shipping.
Linda, I assumed every state could import!! I would recheck with aphis.
Bettydee, like you I lean toward colors other than pink. Most of my Monika collection is white to cream color doubles & singles.....white/cream being my choice color for my moon gardens. I also have several of her golds, oranges, yellows, apricots, & pinks which seem to be more popular than the whites.
Gordo is correct in stating that the quartantine length of two yrs. is due to the brugmansia being in the solanaceae family.
Texasrockgardener, I agree that SB is already in the U.S. as well as other diseases brugs get....it makes no sense to me why we need a two yr. quarantine. My brugs cames into the states healthy, and with each visit from inspector he confirms they still are just as healthy.
Thanks a bunch Teresa!!
Gonetoseed, I have to disagree about the meltdown of German brugs in our heat. Just the opposite in fact. We've been in 100 degree plus temps with heat index 115. No wilted foliage. I did keep them under shade cloth & shade trees.....but so were others brugs that wilted...all with the same care.
Elva & Nadine, you'll have fun and a wonderful learning experience growing German brugs.
I think the major problem here in Central Florida is heat + high humidity. I once placed a thermometer on the ground next to a few Brugs in August - air temp 92 degrees, ground temp 135 degrees. Add humidity to that...
The only Brugs that take that kind of punishment, at least in my garden, are Isabella, Pink Beauty, Apricot Versicolor and now, Rubirosa. The rest pant and wheeze along until 70 degrees daytime becomes the norm. I assume having them under shade cloth or large trees is better, but then there's that old humidity.
If we have a run of thunderstorms and overcast skies at any given time during the Summer, the Brugs spring back to life. When the storm run is over, the new foliage cooks quickly. As a result, I've taken to pruning July - September in preparation for more intense and healthy growth October through May. Pollination takes place in October-November, then March through May.
I've also found that high humidity encourages the abortion of buds, especially on the doubles and such.
Color is also affected by temperature, humidity, time of day, available light and it's strength. Photos taken at high noon differ greatly from photos taken by the ambient light of dusk. Night shots reveal even greater wonders.
All tolled, we're into a very interesting and somewhat fickle plant that demands specific care and attention in whatever zone it is grown. Therein lies the mystery of success and the reward of observation and patience.
My meltdown comment was not meant to condemn all imports.My first imports were around the year 2000 and I have a couple of times more since then.My last will come out of quarantine next summer.I do stand by my statement though.It has also been my priveledge to grow many imported by others.Of the 25-30 imports I have grown I now grow only 2 or 3 plus the latest ones.I have no doubt that a person growing a limited number of brugs could grow any of these but if you have limited time and/or are growing a large number then I say stick with the Americans or use imported seed.The seed do very well.I did not mean for this to turn into a battle so I will let this be my last comment on this subject.
About 15 years ago I got a permit to import bare root Santa Maria when I came back from Mexico . San fransico customs sized the 3 plants and by the time I got them back they were dead . Not worth the trouble .
Then I found out the same plant is called Texas Tarragon . That they sell at home depot .
Now I am looking for Estafiate seeds .
It's also called - Cudweed sagewort, Silver sagebrush, Istafiate, Iztauhyátl, Ajenjo del país, Estafiate de Castilla .
Anyway , look around - the plant may be available here . The government is a pain to deal with and like the IRS nobody cares what is written or you have been told - that's wrong because you are dealing with a different person .
I have enough trouble trying to grow free cuttings [ for postage ] and there is no way I am going to leave 10 feet of space clear for one or 2 plants .
Thanks for posting the info about the 2 years - That may or may not have changed since about 15 years ago . Then it was not soil , leaves or scars on plant , Plant had to be in a bag by itself with roots in another bag inside 1st bag and hand carried , declared at customs in Mexico when leaving and at customs in US .
It is my understanding that the main reason for great caution in importing brugs is that brugs can carry the Colombian datura potyvirus which is in Europe. You may remember a brug seller a few years ago in Florida that suddenly closed their doors and had all their plants destroyed. Colombian datura potyvirus was found on some of his brugs.
I had bought a Rothkirch from him not that long before and almost died of a heart attack when I heard what was happening with him. Evidently it is horrendous virus that would devastate our agriculture industry here if it became prevalent. Brugs are easily infected with it. And they can look perfectly healthy for a long time before they show signs of it. So be careful!
http://www.pestalert.org/viewNewsAlert.cfm?naid=21
http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?SEQ_NO_115=222159
Gonetoseed, You misunderstood me and I do apologize a 100 times over!!! I have the utmost respect for you as a brugmansia grower and didn't mean that statement to offend you in any way. I just disagreed, as I have no problem with wilt-down with my imports. A "battle" never entered my thoughts.
I think the results of growing brugmansia is like Gordo stated in the above post, depends on climate as well as other conditions. I'll be the first to admit that I have alot to learn on the subject of growing brugs and never meant to imply otherwise. My hope is that one day I'll be blessed to have crosses as good as yours, Monika, BrendaD, Delisa, and alot of other wonderful hybridizers in the states & out. I have brugs from just about all the growers in the states.
Just to clear the air, some of my brugs from the states have had wilt down, but alot showed no wilt down, as well as no wilt down on crosses I'm growing out. Some of those being Forestville Double, Peace, Orange Sunshine, & others. I omitted adding that detail about Forestville D. & Orange Sunshine because I thought most knew that.....whereas some don't know this asset about the German imports. No photo of Peace was posted as her blooms were taken off by our hurricanes and alot of my other brugs, or hundreds of photos would have been posted. I never meant to slight any American hybridizer, and again I do apologize. I'm just a country bumpkin, and sometimes what I post doesn't come across like it was meant.
Great information Gordo. Thanks!
Tonyjr, It really wasn't that much of a problem getting imports to the states. All mine arrived in great condition and on time. (I think Heavenscent had a delay in New York the first time she imported, but that was the carriers fault....nothing to do with the Dept. of Ag. )At any given time I could go to my computer and see where my imports flight from Germany was located at. I knew the moment my imports landed in New Orleans and the time they were delivered to the Dept. of Ag. inspector. This is my second time to import brugs from Germany, and it seems to get easier with each time.
Photo of Miss Anna. Not sure who the hy. is, but think from the states. She's a treasure to grow with zero wilt down.
Thanks Kell for that information. I have read some about this dreaded virus, but would like to re-read about it again.
I only import from Monika who as we all know is the diva of brugmansia growing. I feel very safe getting her brug cuttings from Germany.
cannagirl,I never thought of your post as anything other than being informative.We just have different views on the subject.I have to be careful as I tend to come on a bit too strong at times.
Bless you Gonetoseed! I guess we're even as I get too sensitive :)
Do you live near the Gulf? I wonder if this might be the cause of wilt down on your imports, all the sea salt? I live about 40 miles inland.
It may just be that I am in Calif . I don't know .
Some places won't even mail to Calif. Some plants I get have a certification they were checked by somebody .
Right now we have the lbam scare going on [ light brown apple moth ] . This year the round-up didn't happen . Last year I was sick and out of town so I could not go .