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California Plant Police

origamiRN

origamiRN

I just returned to the contiguous USA from Alaska, and will be starting a new job in California on Monday. I've picked up a few overwintered plants that I had left with friends and family. There is 8 total. Before I left New Mexico last summer, I removed the plants from their pots, and removed all of the soil, cut back the roots and branches to sticks, and sprayed them with insecticide/fungacide. I repotted the plants in much smaller containers(cups). I did all of this to insure their survival in the hands of novices AND so that my friends and family would not have to worry about unwanted pests. I will have to go through a border crossing of sorts, and be inspected by the California plant police.

PLEASE provide me with tips, suggestions on what to do/say. I really don't want my babies to be confiscated. Thanks.
 
From my experience crossing the "bug Stations", any plant material that has not been inspected and approved before crossing will be confiscated and destroyed. I have gone through them many times as a truck driver, and a few in a passenger car. If you want to bring potted plants into The Mexican Socialist Republic of California, don't let them know.


Disclaimer: I do not suggest anyone do anything against the law............wink, wink......
 
I was going to ask if you HAD to declare...
 
My preference would be to keep the plants in my front seat, and be open and honest. They do random searches, and if caught smuggling, they can make your life very, very difficult. I may have to look into pre inspection.
 
My preference would be to keep the plants in my front seat, and be open and honest. They do random searches, and if caught smuggling, they can make your life very, very difficult. I may have to look into pre inspection.
 
I know the laws in Ca are different, but from what I read, if you aren't taking the plants to sell, the laws are different...personal property is looked on differently here...
 
put them in back. If a random search..."Hey I didn't know bringing my house plants was wrong." They may not search so no big deal. If they see them in the front seat then definitely will search.
 
definitely better to be ready for the drive through
if you are coming in on the 15 the inspection shack is at "calico" east of barstow
when you get there if you have non california plates they may ask if you are carrying any fruits or vegetables

"JUST SAY NO"

weekends have more traffic and they usually wave almost every car right on through

if they search and find stuff just tell them some nitwit on the hot pepper forum told you to do that :crazy:
 
WoW Cali must suck they put thousands out of work because a little fish may die, and you could get your pepper plants confiscated. HMMMMMMM
 
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