CactiGuide.com

Minime8484 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 17, 2023 4:33 am Nope - it's an "OR" clause for whichever is exceeded last; so, cycads would exceed the weight limit, so max of 50 seeds; Blossfeldia would exceed the count limit, so numbers could be in the thousands before reaching the weight limit. I've confirmed with the USDA and have had many shipments arrive using those interpretations. Most vendors that ship and understand the rules don't bother counting the cactus seeds, and the USDA certainly doesn't even try!

Aiko wrote: ↑Thu Sep 28, 2023 9:18 am Also František Šibal from the Czech Republic has updated his seed lists. The list can be inquired via email. Send me a message if you want me to send you his email address (I don't want to publish it online). The list mostly contains South American cacti.

MrXeric wrote: ↑Mon Oct 16, 2023 12:27 am

zpeckler wrote: ↑Sun Oct 15, 2023 1:54 pm Some of the seeds from the Czech growers are really tickling my fancy!

I've never bought seeds from oversees sources before. Does anyone know if you need a phyto certificate to import seeds to USA/California? It's not totally clear to me from googling, since most of the info I could find relates to animals or plants, not seeds.

Yes, you need a phyto certificate for importing seed into the US. If you are buying small quantities (less than 50 packets per shipment and less than 50 seeds per taxon), you can apply for a free Small Lots of Seed permit: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfoc ... -lots-seed

The Swedish SuccSeed website also has a nice step-by-step guide on applying for the permit (and how it works); it's actually where I first learned of this permit: https://www.succseed.com/us-customers.html

The only caveat is that this permit cannot be used for CITES Appendix I listed species (apparently you need special permits for that). You can scroll down here to see what is listed as Appendix I within Cactaceae: https://cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php. It's things like all Ariocarpus, all Discocactus, all Turbinicarpus, practically all Pediocactus and Sclerocactus, plus some other odds and ends.

From the limited "window shopping" I've done of European seed shops, not all of them want to do the extra steps required for the Small Lots of Seed permit, and they would rather you buy a phyto certificate. I haven't applied for the permit yet because I gamble it with buying seeds from ADBLPS, which neither offers nor requires phyto certificates or other permits to sell to you. I've been buying from them for three years now without any confiscated packages. I still limit each shipment to a dozen (or two) packets of seed ($20-30), just in case.

Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 1:20 am There are many Sclerocactus on the list, but the one I've been trying to buy for years (Sclerocactus polyancistrus) is not.

Tom in Tucson wrote: ↑Thu Oct 19, 2023 1:20 am I'd like to know who at CITES decides what is on Appendix I. Aztekium ritteri is on the list but the other 2 much more rare species aren't. There are many Sclerocactus on the list, but the one I've been trying to buy for years (Sclerocactus polyancistrus) is not. The relatively common Coryphantha werdermannii is on the list, but the much more rare Coryphantha kracikii is not. Another extremely rare cactus, Escobaria robbinsorum is on the verge of extinction (also omitted), All Ariocarpus, and Obregonia are included but in some areas they are so common that it's hard to walk near the thousands of colonies without stepping on them.

zpeckler wrote: ↑Wed Nov 01, 2023 10:09 pm Another question about a USA buyer getting seeds from overseas.... I've arranged for the seller to get a phyto certificate, but does anyone know if I need an import permit?

Geeze, this process is COMPLICATED.

Minime8484 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 01, 2023 10:26 pm

zpeckler wrote: ↑Wed Nov 01, 2023 10:09 pm Another question about a USA buyer getting seeds from overseas.... I've arranged for the seller to get a phyto certificate, but does anyone know if I need an import permit?

Geeze, this process is COMPLICATED.

Unless you are ordering more than fifty packets of seeds, you do NOT need a phytosanitary permit. Just be sure to get a Small Lots of Seeds (SLOS) import permit from the USDA (you can get it online).
Also, no cites permit if not importing cites I species.