Bringing Plants into Florida

[Derekjp]

Ok, I'm moving to Florida next week!  Hurray!  It's about time, given the fact that I've been talking about it for years.  I've got several indoor plants that will be making the journey on the u-haul truck with me.  I've got a 5ft majesty palm, dracaena, banana plant and several others.  I've tried to read as much as I can about bringing plants into Florida, but I just wanted to get some advice from someone who's done it.  From what I understand, I will need to stop at an agricultural inspection station and provide them with my new Florida address and some other information.

http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/plantinsp/...eg_summary.html

Do you think I really need to stop in the u-haul or should I just keep going.  I read somewhere that if they see you go by without stopping they'll come and get you, lol.  Who knows, but I want to try to do this the right way.

[cobra2326]

I know you'll be able to find a large majesty and dracaena for cheap here in FL.  They are very common at home depot, etc.  Why not sell those there and avoid taking up all that space in the uhaul?

[Dave-Vero]

I'd pretty much agree.  Majesties are about $12 at Wal-Mart.  The FDACS regs indicate that all you need to do is stop and provide your address.  Easy enough.  But don't bring any citrus.

[Derekjp]

Yes, but my plants have a sentimental value.  I've had some of them for several years and I just don't want to give them all up.  Now you guys know I'm a bona fide palm nut.    I'll probably give a few away here and take the rest.  I'm going to rent for the first year, but as soon as I purchase a house, I'm going to do some serious palm purchasing like never before!

[Scott Mcintosh]

When I moved to FL. 12yrs ago, I had palms in the back of a pickup truck. At the check stop they just waived me on. I do not think it will be a problem.

[spockvr6]

Derek-

Where in FL are you moving to?

[Jeff Searle]

(Scott Mcintosh @ Feb. 27 2008,06:17)

QUOTE

When I moved to FL. 12yrs ago, I had palms in the back of a pickup truck. At the check stop they just waived me on. I do not think it will be a problem.

I agree. I think the state is more interested in a large amount of palms that were grown at a nursery outside the state and are being sold here in Fla.

I wouldn't bother on stopping, it's too petty.

Jeff

[TikiRick]

Don't stop, in fact, speed buy looking between the fronds of your waving (NC goodbye) Ravenea.

[fastfeat]

Definitely stop or they will call FHP to pull you over! (I know from experience...) And don't think you'll be able to get around by using side streets. (Tried that too...)

If you just have a couple of large plants, make sure they're clean (no weeds, bugs, or SNAILS on plants or pots). Load them last so they're easy to see. Type the names (common and botanical), quantity, and sizes on a sheet and hand to the inspector when pulling up. If he/she is there (often not the case), they'll probably just read the list and wave you through, esp since they're houseplants from a northern state.

Worst case scenario, they'll open the back to see them and give you a form to send to the State. (Have the address of your new place, including county, and a contact # handy). Shouldn't take more than five minutes off your drive.

[Derekjp]

(spockvr6 @ Feb. 27 2008,07:22)

QUOTE

Derek-

Where in FL are you moving to?

Right around the Largo / Pinellas Park area.

[Derekjp]

(fastfeat @ Feb. 27 2008,10:04)

QUOTE

Definitely stop or they will call FHP to pull you over! (I know from experience...) And don't think you'll be able to get around by using side streets. (Tried that too...)

I've heard about this before.  I wonder how much this happens.

[fastfeat]

All it takes is one encounter with The Man to ruin your whole day.

Running the checkpoint might get them to bring the dogs to sniff through your stuff (not that that's ever happened to me   in Texas at 4AM in the cold of Winter with a truckload of plants from CA in the back of a 26' truck before...)

Didn't find my stash though. :cool:

[Tad]

I wouldnt stop, like jeff said, theyre not looking for you.

[TikiRick]

A few house plants? With all of the problems FL has with the Asian invasion(s)??? C'mon. Thousands, if not millions, or containers coming into FL ports each month, and they are worried about a potted palm?

Forget it. Play stupid, blast by.

[SunnyFl]

(Derekjp @ Feb. 27 2008,11:24)

QUOTE

(spockvr6 @ Feb. 27 2008,07:22)

QUOTE

Derek-

Where in FL are you moving to?

Right around the Largo / Pinellas Park area.

Howdy, neighbor-to-be!  We're in Lealman, border of Pinellas Park.  You're going to love it here, there are some nice palm gardens around!

[Wai`anae Steve]

Check points in America?????????

What the H _ _ L?

Thought we were free to move to any state in the union.

Wai`anae Steve

[Davidl]

I have seen people driving down the road with illegal plants driving down the road and never was stopped. I really think they are talking about allot of plants not a few.

[Jeff zone 8 N.C.]

Definitely you will have to stop! If you blow by, chances are they will pull you over. Then you are at their mercy. This happened to me at 2 A.M. one morning, in heavy traffic,  while in a normal van pulling a small enclosed trailor. Yep, all trailors have to stop too.  There is a little chance they may miss you, but they do watch and do have their own guys, in patrol cars, ready to pursue you. I would call or e-mail the Florida Ag. Dept. and ask them how to legaly get the plants through. Like the others here posted it is probably no problem if done right.

[Tad]

funny how a guy in a small truck and trailer gets pulled over but semis full of bootleg material make it thru on a daily basis? makes a person wonder?!?!?

[metalfan]

Go on and stop. Coming from North Carolina, with houseplant, they won't give you a hassle.

If you were coming from a Western state that is infested with the Brown snail or some other bad boy like that, they'd probably want to see what's in your U Haul.

The main things they are worried about are the snails and citrus. When we moved to FL from California in 1992 I had a few potted cactus in the load. They looked at them, looked on the undersides of the pots for snails, and just said "Have a great day, welcome to Florida"

[Scott Mcintosh]

(metalfan @ Feb. 28 2008,11:05)

QUOTE

The main things they are worried about are the snails and citrus. "

I had a citrus tree with fruit on it, and the guy looked as if I was crazy for pulling in. I had 2 palms, a cycad, citrus tree and a few other plants. I had a tarp over the plants in the truck bed. A few plant parts were visible. The guy did not look at them and wave me on.

[metalfan]

Scott, was that possibly BEFORE the current Citrus Canker epidemic, and BEFORE the advent of Citrus Greening, for which the entire state of FL is now under mandatory quarantine (for citrus)?

If not, YOU should report HIM for doing such a bad job.

[fastfeat]

When I brought a truckload of plants from CA 2+ years ago, the biggest concern was for importation of brown garden snail (Helix aspersa), a truly noxious pest in CA.

Fortunately, I didn't have these suckers on my plants (one of the benefits of keeping container plants and surrounding areas bone dry). Though I gave the State my address in Dade Co., no one ever showed to inspect my collection :cool: .

[Guest briancoconut]

Hmmm

I have driven cross country in a huge truck  with a (few plants   ) over 2600 miles. Never stopped for anything but sleep. No PROBLAM!!  

Brian

[_Keith]

Agreed on don't stop, but be responsible too.  

Give them a good dose of insecticide a week before leaving.  If anything even looks like it might get sick or have any pest at all, leave it behind.  

Bring in clean healthy plants, or give them to a friend and wish them luck.

[Scott Mcintosh]

Gina, That was 12yrs ago. Maybe they are harder on plant arrivals now. But the guy did not take a look at any of the plants.I do not know what they are checking for. But I think you would need to look to find it.