Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
How do you know that the plants and flowers you are smuggling here won't be a nuisance? Several years ago a woman from Miami would bring (smuggle) plants to Florida from South America. she thought the vines would look great on her trellis. Now all of Southern United States plagued with millions of these vines, clinging to trees. Choking the trees, denying trees nutrition and draining the life and killing millions of trees. You have probably seen them. They make trees look bushy. There pods explode open and send seeds airborne and scattered by the wind. Once established they root into the ground and spread like wildfire. Quickly clinging to trees, shrubs, even plants. Trees across this country are being killed from, Insects and diseases that the native trees didn't have time to build up an immune system. Remember the Dutch Elm Disease, (it was actually an insect) wiped out millions of Elm trees. How about the Asian Long Horn beetle? Latest a Pecan Grove, here in central Florida was TOTALLY wiped out by an insect brought over from China. We, the USA, gets enough fungus, diseases, invasive plants and/or spores factor in destructive insects imported from our World Trade alliance BUT PEOPLE: vacationing and visiting other countries and lands is fabulous. BUT LEAVE THE FLORA AND FAUNA THERE; DON'T BRING IT HERE
I'm pretty sure that one woman didn't single handedly cause the spread of this "killer vine" across the entire southern states from one cutting she brought back to Miami lol...
You do realise that most garden plants are non-natives? Unless your area specifically declares a certain plant as invasive & illegal to plant then I don't see the problem. Cuttings are also better than potted plants as no pathogens in the soil & any diseased leaves or insects would be removed by whoever was bringing it back anyway...
I wanted to do the same when I was in Hawaii. I had 2 bouquets. I pleaded there was no bugs, drugs, or diseases I was carrying with them. (that's how it starts). They confiscated 1 of them and The Pilot decided to take it and hold the other in the cockpit until we landed. So nice of him!
This was many many years ago. I'm pretty sure they are more strict now. Don't wasn't the money until you know for sure.
How do you know that the plants and flowers you are smuggling here won't be a nuisance? Several years ago a woman from Miami would bring (smuggle) plants to Florida from South America. she thought the vines would look great on her trellis. Now all of Southern United States plagued with millions of these vines, clinging to trees. Choking the trees, denying trees nutrition and draining the life and killing millions of trees. You have probably seen them. They make trees look bushy. There pods explode open and send seeds airborne and scattered by the wind. Once established they root into the ground and spread like wildfire. Quickly clinging to trees, shrubs, even plants. Trees across this country are being killed from, Insects and diseases that the native trees didn't have time to build up an immune system. Remember the Dutch Elm Disease, (it was actually an insect) wiped out millions of Elm trees. How about the Asian Long Horn beetle? Latest a Pecan Grove, here in central Florida was TOTALLY wiped out by an insect brought over from China. We, the USA, gets enough fungus, diseases, invasive plants and/or spores factor in destructive insects imported from our World Trade alliance BUT PEOPLE: vacationing and visiting other countries and lands is fabulous. BUT LEAVE THE FLORA AND FAUNA THERE; DON'T BRING IT HERE
I completely agree with you about so many diseases being brought to USA from illegally smuggled in plants. But if you are talking about KUDZU in the bolded please know it was deliberately planted by the US Government for erosion control and it totally took over the earth--well at least the southern part of the US and I never saw any seed pods as it has tiny little white flowers. It has been documented to grow 1 inch overnight! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kudzu_..._United_States
Wait a minute, the OP is talking about a flower.
JUST the flower.
I LOVE the book idea! with wax paper.
You may want to look online at how to preserve a flower online, mabey
there is also another way to preserve it til you get home.
We aren't talking about a plant, no stem, no roots, just a flower here.
You should be fine, they aren't going to throw your little flower off a plane.
Wait a minute, the OP is talking about a flower.
JUST the flower.
I LOVE the book idea! with wax paper.
You may want to look online at how to preserve a flower online, mabey
there is also another way to preserve it til you get home.
We aren't talking about a plant, no stem, no roots, just a flower here.
You should be fine, they aren't going to throw your little flower off a plane.
I completely agree with you about so many diseases being brought to USA from illegally smuggled in plants. But if you are talking about KUDZU in the bolded please know it was deliberately planted by the US Government for erosion control and it totally took over the earth--well at least the southern part of the US and I never saw any seed pods as it has tiny little white flowers. It has been documented to grow 1 inch overnight! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kudzu_..._United_States
You are looking at one foot or more per day not an inch. That is why you do not leave the windows open at night in Georgia:>)
Please do not smuggle plants, fruits or flowers. Enjoy them in their natural environment. You cannot determine with the naked eye what might be in or on the plant material and how it will react to a new environment.
When I was in Hawaii a while back I remember they would not let you bring pineapples home unless you bought one specially packaged at the airport gift shop.
You will go through a screening, questioning about what you are bringing. Sadly, insect eggs can be carried on things such as flowers, and then get loose once you remove it from the book or whatever. It is strictly for the safety of other plants and things that they are so cautious. You can find many Hawaiian plants grown in local nurseries at home, if you want to find them. I grow plumeria here. Smells just like Hawaii on my patio!
If you want to talk the flowers home just dry it or press it.
THEN when you are at the airport and MUST go through the Department of Agriculture --federal agency--screen as EVERY
ONE does in Hawaii along with the TSA regular screen like at all airports, you DECLARE the flowers and show it to them. They will look at it and tell you if it has concerns or not. If it has bug bites, eggs, etc. they will take it from you and you can not take it home. Otherwise you can take it and it is fine.
I have taken orchid plants home to California a lot. They always pass inspection--never grown in soil. And I make sure to only buy healthy ones.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
