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View Full Version : Heading to Key West- want bananas!


wheelman1976
03-19-2013, 07:07 PM
Anyone know of any good places in the keys that I could score some bananas to take back with me? I've got an extra suitcase I'm taking down that isn't holding much and I'm thinking of packing some seedlings for the trip back. Does anyone have suggestions on where to find something on the small side that will fit in a large suitcase on the way back? I'm angling on finding basjoos or mekong giants and save on the freight back up north to michigan. I'm guessing I could fit 6-10 4 inch pots easily in my suitcase.

Also, to my knowledge there shouldn't be any restrictions on flying with them in a checked bag as I'm staying the in the continental US, is that correct?

LIBananaGuy
03-19-2013, 07:22 PM
Sorry dont know of a place that far down. But you are correct, no restrictions when you check your bag. I have brought back bananas many times when visiting Fla

wheelman1976
03-19-2013, 07:26 PM
Good to know on there not being restrictions. Now to find some places. The nurseries down there are lacking on websites, and the ones that do don't show any bananas from what i can tell.

sunfish
03-19-2013, 07:37 PM
Sorry dont know of a place that far down. But you are correct, no restrictions when you check your bag. I have brought back bananas many times when visiting Fla

Not correct'

http://www.bananas.org/f3/fyi-16757.html#post205816

wheelman1976
03-19-2013, 07:51 PM
Not correct'

http://www.bananas.org/f3/fyi-16757.html#post205816

So is it illegal for someone to buy a plant at a nursery in one state and take it to their house in another state?

Another thing to note, is it now also illegal for anyone to sell their plants on ths site if they don't have a license?

harveyc
03-19-2013, 07:58 PM
From a quick review of http://www.nationalplantboard.org/docs/summaries/michigan.pdf and reading your first post stating that you are from West Michigan, I think you might be okay bringing banana pups back with you. There are many regulations that need to be reviewed before transporting plant material within the U.S.

wheelman1976
03-19-2013, 08:12 PM
So on a side note, I technically shouldn't be offering my canna rhizomes for sale on here then either I take it? Hope I'm not opening up a can of worms on this!

LIBananaGuy
03-20-2013, 06:04 PM
Im just talking from my own experience's. Im not talking a truck load. A few plants in a suitcase. I have even had the bag looked though by the airlines, as they leave a ticket when they check inside your bag. I called and asked the first time myself and the airlines told me it was ok. I know there are rules for something like citrus to another state that grows them same type of crop. I dont think you will have a problem.

wolfyhound
03-20-2013, 06:18 PM
I did call Florida's Dept of Ag and was told "If it's not citrus, we don't care" about if I could bring bananas into the state.

Of course, this is not exactly binding documentation on anything.

sunfish
03-20-2013, 07:15 PM
I did call Florida's Dept of Ag and was told "If it's not citrus, we don't care" about if I could bring bananas into the state.

Of course, this is not exactly binding documentation on anything.

Check again

sunfish
03-20-2013, 07:27 PM
Im just talking from my own experience's. Im not talking a truck load. A few plants in a suitcase. I have even had the bag looked though by the airlines, as they leave a ticket when they check inside your bag. I called and asked the first time myself and the airlines told me it was ok. I know there are rules for something like citrus to another state that grows them same type of crop. I dont think you will have a problem.

The airline is not the Ag Dept. :) :woohoonaner:

harveyc
03-20-2013, 07:49 PM
Tony is right. You shouldn't be asking Florida about what is okay to bring into Michigan. The only reason the Florida official would mention citrus is because they are under a Federal quarantine which prohibits shipping citrus to most/many states and it is Florida's responsibility to ensure they comply with that. I already linked to the Michigan restrictions above. The airline also isn't going to get involved in policing plants but they are concerned with your scissors, ammunition, butane lighters, C4 explosives, etc. Don't try to get someone to acknowledge your justification as being okay because it's a small amount. Many serious insect and disease problems have been created by small shipments. As I said above, I didn't see anything in the Michigan regulations that prohibits taking some bananas from Florida to Michigan. Bringing to Texas, Arizona, or California, or many other states would be an entirely different matter. The regulations are put there for very good reasons.

PR-Giants
03-20-2013, 08:35 PM
There is a large nursery in the Detroit area that sells bananas, you probably can buy locally and save the hassle and some money.

wolfyhound
03-20-2013, 09:01 PM
I called a few weeks ago, but I wasn't asking about Michigan, just about bringing bananas INTO Florida, which I thought I was clear about in my post.

I was merely telling you what I was told by the Florida State Ag Department, which of course does not figure in any other states, nor does it cover a Federal rule or law.

sunfish
03-20-2013, 09:57 PM
I called a few weeks ago, but I wasn't asking about Michigan, just about bringing bananas INTO Florida, which I thought I was clear about in my post.

I was merely telling you what I was told by the Florida State Ag Department, which of course does not figure in any other states, nor does it cover a Federal rule or law.

http://nationalplantboard.org/docs/summaries/florida.pdf

sunfish
03-20-2013, 10:09 PM
I called a few weeks ago, but I wasn't asking about Michigan, just about bringing bananas INTO Florida, which I thought I was clear about in my post.

I was merely telling you what I was told by the Florida State Ag Department, which of course does not figure in any other states, nor does it cover a Federal rule or law.

ENCANTO FARMS NURSERY (http://encantofarms.com/orders.html)

Abnshrek
03-21-2013, 06:06 AM
I hope you find some T/C's down there.. Of what you want.. :^)

oakshadows
03-21-2013, 10:53 AM
I called a few weeks ago, but I wasn't asking about Michigan, just about bringing bananas INTO Florida, which I thought I was clear about in my post.

I was merely telling you what I was told by the Florida State Ag Department, which of course does not figure in any other states, nor does it cover a Federal rule or law.

Have you inquired about this with the Michigan ag dept. ? Might get your answer from the horses mouth.

wheelman1976
03-21-2013, 11:07 AM
I haven't talked to anyone in michigan. If worse comes to worse I will just order online. I want coldhardy stuff and I'm guessing there's not much of that down here for sale anyways.

I take it one also wouldn't want to take palm tree seeds with them either? They're laying all over the ground around the hotel.

sunfish
03-21-2013, 05:40 PM
I haven't talked to anyone in michigan. If worse comes to worse I will just order online. I want coldhardy stuff and I'm guessing there's not much of that down here for sale anyways.

I take it one also wouldn't want to take palm tree seeds with them either? They're laying all over the ground around the hotel.

Seed are okay

wheelman1976
03-21-2013, 07:50 PM
Good to know on the seeds. Got some bismarks, and two other types that I'm not sure of.

Stopped by a nursery today and while I saw tons of palms I'd love to have, the bananas available weren't all that great. I'll probably just mail order what I want once I get back.