Canadian Mail order sites?

8 years ago

Hello all!

I've been checking out the local stores for succulents but their selection is rather limited. I've found only one site so far but much of it is out of stock.

Thanks in advance!

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cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5

8 years ago

Here's my experience:

Flying in - declare your plants (because you have to, and make sure you tell the truth on your customs declaration, unless you're feeling lucky, that is), make sure they're soil-free, and make sure you're ready to tell the Ag inspection team that these plants are no danger to becoming invasive to the native flora. Of course, with so few being cold-hardy, relatively speaking, this has the added bonus of being true.

Driving across - make sure the plants are soil-free, and be ready to explain to the border officer about them not being invasive IF THEY ASK YOU about plants. Usually they do not. Most of my collection has been brought in thus.

I would guess I have brought in CITES-restricted plants, but since I get them usually from reputable nurseries, and never buy field-collected / illegally-harvested plants, TTBOMK, but I usually don't worry about that. If that would be a problem in the future, I'd guess I'd resort to more seed-growing.

Valley Succulents is a nice place to deal with - my one experience with Jamie was overall postive. If I ever get to Comox I'd like to visit his nursery.

Of course, you can develop trades on this side of the border, but again, if you are just starting a collection, it can be difficult. But we're usually a very generous lot.

Of course (#2, and the more important of them) the best place to meet people, talk/get/peruse plants is a C&S Society. Fortunately, Vancouver has one. Their show isn't too far away. There's also a Society in Victoria.

CactusVan

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Comments (9)

ewwmayo
8 years ago
Hm, where are you located in Canada? I'm in the Toronto area and it's not too bad, some stores are better to check than others.

Also, there's at least a couple of us who have offsets/cuttings/plants for trade. =)
sheltiefuzz thanked ewwmayo
coldeuphorb
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
It's basically only http://www.valleysucculents.ca. They aren't really into online stuff however. I ordered once and the stuff was fine, selection was limited. I contacted them the next year to see if they were going to update the site for the sold-outs and maybe new stuff and they kind of blew me off and haven't updated it since (several years later).

In Montreal there is Cactus Fleuri, but they have been getting weirder and worse over the years. It's visit only and they are getting more restrictive and strange when you visit, saying you can't buy certain stuff etc.

Honestly the best stuff I've gotten were the following

1. Cuttings from long time collectors I met in person / online

2. Online nurseries in the US that ship to my hotel in the US that I can bring back legally

You might also try and find someone in the US who are willing to ship over the border. But it would be risky.
sheltiefuzz thanked coldeuphorb
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sheltiefuzz
Original Author
8 years ago
I'm located around the lower mainland of BC. I'll take a look at the stores again later in the season, perhaps that affects their variety.

Also, what are the legalities regarding taking plants over the border via vehicle? I've heard conflicting information on that.

I'll be interested in some cuttings! Can you PM me some more information regarding that? Thanks both!
coldeuphorb
8 years ago
You can technically bring plants which have no soil across the US border. You should technically have IDs of them and maybe even proof of purchase etc. Technically not the endangered stuff, but I have done it and so have people I know and they haven't had any issues. The last time I did it they didn't even look at the plants.
sheltiefuzz thanked coldeuphorb
sheltiefuzz
Original Author
8 years ago
Interesting, thanks! :D
ewwmayo
8 years ago
You can import up to 50 houseplants from the USA into Canada for personal use: Canadian Food Inspection Agency D-08-04: Plant protection import requirements for plants and plant parts for planting

Succulents and cacti are covered under Appendix 7, but you need a CITES permit if they are CITES plants: Eligible plants for personal use . It's important to know which species you are buying and importing. Many growers sell CITES plants, but may not tell you they are such.

There is a nice thread started by Deva with people offering to share/trade plants here: [Spring Cutting Plant Trade[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/anyone-interested-in-a-cutting-plant-trade-come-spring-dsvw-vd~3643071)
sheltiefuzz thanked ewwmayo
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
8 years ago
Kevin

Thank you for posting that link...hardly any succulents :(
ewwmayo
8 years ago
Rina - Don't worry, the appendix list is just examples. =)

Canadian Mail order sites?

cactusmcharris, interior BC Z4/5

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Canadian Mail order sites?

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