Going on vacation to distant countries, every gardener and florist pays attention not only to local attractions, but also to unique plants. Colorful or unusual, bright, large or not so, exotic flowers, shrubs and trees beckon us at first sight. And the desire to bring with you a small gift not only for loved ones, but also for your garden or home is very great. In the process of pursuing exotic things, the main thing is not to forget about legislative norms and restrictions and to apply a rational approach in this matter. Indeed, in order to grow exotic, most often there is no need to carry their fruits or seeds in suitcases.
Common oleander (Nerium oleander). Farmer Burea-Uinsurance.com bittster
The desire to take with you a few seeds of a magnificent tree or exotic flower is sometimes difficult to overcome. But so that bright plants from abroad do not cause additional trouble and disappointment, it is necessary to take into account the purely practical nuances of finding seeds and planting material during the holidays. As in the question of growing absolutely any garden or indoor plant, you should rely not on desire, but on common sense. Momentary impulses are not the best motivation for finding new green pets. Only after finding answers to all important questions, decide to act.
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Impressions are more important than baggage
The main thing that you should get from a vacation spent with benefit is not new seeds or plants that you can use to replenish your collection, but vivid impressions. Unusual crops or planting methods, landscape design and decoration techniques, new and unfamiliar tendencies in the use of materials or plants, characteristic features of garden zoning or vivid motifs of urban landscaping, unusual mixing of colors and unexpected images – take pictures, remember and write down, make sketches, trying to get as much information as possible about the development of landscape design in the country you are visiting. Indeed, noticing for yourself certain techniques or ideas, upon returning home, you will be able to look for options for their embodiment in your area or in your house.
A new look at familiar things, unforgettable vivid images and colorful panoramas; plants that make you look in a new way at the usual assortment of crops and species and varieties that are completely new for you – this is what you need to hunt for first of all during your vacation.
Get to know the plant itself
Having noticed an amazing green or blooming miracle while on vacation, do not be lazy to take photos, ask what kind of plant it is and how it grows. Specify how hardy this culture is, or, conversely, how capricious, whether it is found anywhere else besides the place of your trip.
Take notes on the spot and try to learn as much as possible about the plant from any available sources as soon as possible, including learning both its propagation methods and cultivation forms. Search the Internet for information and specify the species name and all the main characteristics. Even if there is no one to ask, a photo search will easily allow you to find information about the culture.
Olive tree (Olea europaea)
Law Above All
First of all, you need to think about the restrictions that the legislation sets, the rules for importing into your country and study the rules that apply where you travel. It is strictly forbidden to transport plants or planting material with soil across the border. As well as transporting seeds, bulbs, tubers and cuttings without special quarantine and sanitary permits.
When passing control and attempts to import seeds, they can be seized and sent to long-term quarantine without controlled conditions (or even completely destroyed). And this is not to mention the responsibility and fines that will lie with you. When planning to purchase any planting material abroad, it is better to study the rules of export and import in each individual case and assess whether it is worth the risk.
And whether it is necessary?
After studying the regulatory framework and gaining basic knowledge about the plant, you should ask yourself the main question: is there any need to bring this plant from anywhere, or can you buy it at home? In short, evaluate whether this plant is so rare in principle.
All plants that are considered highly decorative and promising for landscape design or floriculture have long attracted the attention of breeders, transferred to the lists of cultivated plants and are grown in garden centers and flower companies. Really valuable crops can be considered international, they are grown not only in their homeland and are actively used and distributed throughout the globe.
Therefore, as soon as you learn the basics, check if this is such an unusual plant, whether it is really not available in your homeland; whether it is in the sale of garden centers and their price lists, which are easy to find on the net, are there any ads or articles about it. After all, many cultures of an outlandish appearance, along with “relatives”, can not only be ordered from the catalog, but also found at exhibitions or in nurseries. Not to mention the fact that specialized enterprises will gladly bring planting material to order and save you the hassle.
There are a lot of plants that seem to be inseparable from the landscapes of distant countries, but, in fact, have long been grown in our country. So, exotic plants have long become familiar in our climate – magnificent African representatives of tuberous and bulbous plants, which are grown for cutting and not only. Captivated by the beauty of the flowering streets, covered with sakura petals, it is not at all necessary to bring seeds or cuttings of this plant with you from Japan, because it has long been adapted to our climate. Likewise, colorful walls of flowering rhododendrons in Chinese gardens or Italian Tuscany can be recreated from domestic planting material.
The best crops, which seem to us the most attractive during the holidays, if they have even the slightest prospect of growing in regions with severe winters, at least in room form, have long been “tested”. And they can be found, if not at every step, then in highly specialized catalogs of exotic plants – for sure. Therefore, it is best to study the market for the representation of a particular plant, and not immediately look for a seed store in their homeland.
Bougainvillea
Professional seeds are always preferred
If you still want to become the owner of seeds or other planting material in the homeland of the plant, then during excursions and walks, visit also numerous flower or garden shops. After all, you will be able to simply use the seeds from the fruit only if we are talking about plants that are usually grown this way. But in most cases, it is still better to purchase certified seeds with an appropriate quality guarantee.
At your local garden center or nursery (if you have a day off), you can also find out more information about the plant and whether it is exported by official channels, if by any chance they have an international delivery service.
The seeds of such simple plants as an olive or other fruit and fruit crops, you can collect yourself from ripe fruits (or bring the whole fruit home for ripening). But nevertheless, it is better to give preference to special planting material (which, by the way, can be bought quite freely from us for these plants).
Leave your vacation not for looking for plants, but for relaxation and bright adventures. Pay close attention to everything that happens around you and do not ignore those plants that cause you special emotions. And it doesn’t matter where exactly you can buy planting material. The main thing is to expand your horizons, find inspiration that will help make changes in your gardening life.
Attention! Tell us in the comments to this material, what exotic plants did you bring from vacation, how did you manage to adapt the plant at home, what difficulties did you encounter?
