Plants
 

Is there anyway I can take a plant with me to Canada. I know soil is a big no no but can you get a lience or something? :unsure:

Re: Plants
 

Hi Gloveman,

Sorry to be nosey but i'm really curious to know what type of plant it is you'd like to take with you - i've got visions of a hugh, healthy, shiny cheese plant you've grown from a tiny cutting & tended to lovingly - unlike my own plants :o

Cheers, a nosey Arris ;)

Re: Plants
 

I have a christmas cactus that has been in the family for about 50 years and as I am the last member of my family I really would like to take it with me. It would be the end of an era to get rid of it.:)

Re: Plants
 

I know the ones you mean, they can get really big - I guess yours must be if it's 50 years old, wow, a real sentimental plant - hope you get to take it with you :)

Re: Plants
 

It's not that big as I prune it back but it does flower beautifully every year and it has been around even longer than me. It would travel fine in the container but I don't know how to go about taking it.:unsure:

Re: Plants
 

I didn't know what a Christmas cactus was, so I looked it up and found out that it was called a poinsettia in Canada. A Google search reveals that the Latin name is Euphorbia pulcherrima.

I suppose I intuitively should have figured out you were talking about a poinsettia. They are very popular in Canada at Christmas time. They are all over the place -- in shops, offices and people's homes. In December there are several dozen of them for sale in my local supermarket. However, I didn't think of the plant as a cactus, and that's why I didn't make the connection.

I'm a bit puzzled as to why you're willing to leave behind the people who have been in your family for 50 years but are not willing to leave behind a plant that has been in your family for 50 years.

Also, you say it'll do fine in the container. If you are referring to the container in which your household goods will be shipped, I don't know how you can be so sure. I would have thought the plant would die of thirst during the voyage.

I personally cannot see the point of your going to all this trouble for a plant that you'll be able to replace by walking into the nearest supermarket (although I do understand the point that the plant you could buy from the nearest supermarket wouldn't be the one that had been in your family for 50 years).

However, if you really want to pursue this project, a good starting point would be Canada Border Services Agency's web page about food, plants and animals. By following a series of links from that website, I found a form called Application for Permit to Import Plants and Other Things under the Plant Protection Act.

Hope that helps.

Re: Plants
 

Sorry Judy wrong.

Christmas cactus is not a poinsettia.

Christmas Cactus is Schlumbergera (often called "Zygocactus")

Trust me we have one. :)

...and it's in bloom right now, so much for Christmas.:confused:

Cheers
Steve

Re: Plants
 

Thanks for the clarification, Steve.

Re: Plants
 

They often bloom at Easter as well. Mum used to call hers a "Christmas-and-Easter Cactus" :)

Religious little blighters! :D

Re: Plants
 

First, as you have already been corrected, a christmas cactus is not a poinsettia.
Second, I am not leaving my family behind as they are all dead.
Third, being a cactus it will survive perfectly well in a container and I have taken advice on this.
Fourth, a thing that has been in my family for 50 years could not be replaced anywhere least of all at a supermarket.
Fifth, I didn't ask for your personal opinion just advice on how to get plant to Canada.
Sixth, thank you I shall look on this site and see if it can help
Lastly, yes I took offence at your reply

Re: Plants
 

It would appear that no you cannot bring it.

Quote from the website which you may have seen by now.

Allowed into Canada.

All items must be clean and free of pests, soil and roots.


The operative words being "free of soil and roots".


Perhaps you can take a cutting from the plant and bring that with you. Then you at least have a piece of it to start over with.

Re: Plants
 

I don't think you you will be able to take the complete plant because of the soil - I'd love to take some of my plants but have investigated and it seems a no-no if they are potted up in soil. Christmas cacti root very easily so perhaps you could take loads of cuttings in your hand luggage and root them up when you get to the Island?

Joanne

Re: Plants
 

Thanks Joanne - I can't bring them on in water before I go because they will have roots so if I cut off some leaves I suppose they might survive long enough to pot up when we get there.

Am I going to get through Customs with them do you think?

Re: Plants
 

I wonder if putting your cuttings in damp tissue or cotton wool would do the trick.

As for customs, I wouldn't have a clue - but if you took the cuttings last thing they wouldn't have any roots on :confused: may be worth a try.

Re: Plants
 

Thanks to all, I think I'll give the cuttings a go and just have to find a really good home for the plant. Not sure how damp tissue would be treated in view of current security but it has to be worth a go.:thumbsup: