Caught Green Fingered!

[Termite]

Hiya

can someone possibly answer a couple of questions please - TYIA

1. Can I bring chilli seeds (commercial packaged) from the USA - "I've a hankerin' for Carolina Reaper..."

2. What is the best way to grow chillis?

I was thinking getting them to seedlings on the windowsill then transplanting outside. I have tried google and a couple of farmer type websites, but there's too much conflicting information - so was hoping that within this vast wealth of knowledge, someone may have some 1st hand experience.

Happy munching...

 

[ric_melb]

Have a look at the Department of Agriculture regulations. At the very least you need to declare the seeds. You might need a permit obtained before your travel also.
There would be a high possibility that seeds would be confiscated. Seeds seem to be on their high danger list. Is it really worth the trouble?

Home Importing seeds for sowing to Australia

 

[Pushka]

T

Have a look at the Department of Agriculture regulations. At the very least you need to declare the seeds. You might need a permit obtained before your travel also.
There would be a high possibility that seeds would be confiscated. Seeds seem to be on their high danger list. Is it really worth the trouble?

Home Importing seeds for sowing to Australia

They really don't like anything that can be propagated or will grow as they can't tell what that will look like.

 

[Deleted member 26544]

Here's the link to the relevant Biosecurity Import Conditions (BICON) case.

https://bicon.agriculture.gov.au/Bi...ase?elementID=0000137325&elementVersionID=147

I would suggest it may be more hassle/expense than it's worth. Is there an Australian supplier?

 

[Lemon_Party]

Post them to yourself....

 

[Deleted member 26544]

Post them to yourself....

Not a good idea when my reading of BICON suggests an import permit is required. The goods would likely be seized and destroyed and a fine may be issued.

 

[harvyk]

Post them to yourself....

The post still goes through both Customs and AQIS inspection. In fact I would say that they are more likely to find seeds, as the level of inspection (including letters) is higher via post than via airports.
If it was me, I would be contacting AQIS and explain to them what you want to do, at the very least they will be able to put you in the right direction for how to import seeds and other bio-matter. It is possible, provided you go via the right channels.
One final thing is that it’s probably not going to be cheap. Of course if you do want to simply attempt to bring the seeds in without a permit (aka wing it), provided you declare them you won’t be fined, however be prepared to have the seeds confiscated at the airport.

 

[24601]

Don't bring seeds from overseas. Buy them in Australia.

 

[VPS]

Post them to yourself....

Don't do that - we have regulations for a reason - would you like to be the one responsible for bringing an exotic disease into Australia and destroying the livelihood of hundreds or thousands of people - you probably won't but you don't know that - declare them but I suspect the answer will be no for a very good reason

 

[puppysparkes]

Hiya

can someone possibly answer a couple of questions please - TYIA

1. Can I bring chilli seeds (commercial packaged) from the USA - "I've a hankerin' for Carolina Reaper..."

2. What is the best way to grow chillis?

I was thinking getting them to seedlings on the windowsill then transplanting outside. I have tried google and a couple of farmer type websites, but there's too much conflicting information - so was hoping that within this vast wealth of knowledge, someone may have some 1st hand experience.

Happy munching...

This is the website I was going to use. http://www.chilliseedbank.com.au

After a bit of research I discovered that you can put in a fair bit of effort for little reward. Apparently most seeds can end up being sterile. This will apply to any seeds you source tbh.

I ended up going with a mature plant (habanero cross) from a local market. It was not up there on the scoville but it did the trick. I make a chilli jam for kicks.

These local guys should satisfy any immediate craving for heat. http://thechillifactory.com/m/

Let me know how you go.

Cheers

 

[TomVexille]

Where are you based Termite? There seem to be a few retailers selling Carolina Reaper seeds in Australia.

 

[VPS]

Home Sydney’s sour arrival found teeming with biosecurity pests and disease

I know they like to beat things up but this stuff is real

 

[get me outta here]

Termite, here they are: 10 CAROLINA REAPER Chilli Seeds - Extremely Hot Quality Chilli Edible | eBay

$4 a packet w' free postage.

GROWING METHOD

Step 1 Do not touch the seeds without using gloves. Sow each Carolina Reaper chilli seed roughly 3-5mm deep into standard garden soil. Moisten soil with a spray bottle. Keep the seeds roughly 5 cm apart. The perfect temperature for the seeds for the first 4 weeks is warm, humid conditions. Frost will almost certainly kill the seeds, seedlings and severely damage a mature plant. If it's colder than 20 degrees Celsius for the first 4 weeks try putting the seeds on the fridge or on a heat mat.
Step 2 Keep lightly moisten and begin checking for sprouts from around 3 weeks. Once they have sprouted, keep indoors on a window sill where they can start to get sunlight. Too much sunlight early on is also detrimental. A gradual increase of sunlight hours as the plants increase in size is highly recommended.
Step 3 When the plants reach around 15cm or have around 4-6 leaves showing try putting a pinch of Epsom Salts into your watering can or bottle. The magnesium in the salts can dramatically increase the root structure and will also improve the yields down the track. Reapply the salts every 2-4 weeks.
Step 4 From now on, chilli plants can be treated the same as any standard tomato plant. As long as the plant can gather enough warmth and sun it should bloom in mid-late spring or early summer.

Hiya

can someone possibly answer a couple of questions please - TYIA

1. Can I bring chilli seeds (commercial packaged) from the USA - "I've a hankerin' for Carolina Reaper..."

2. What is the best way to grow chillis?

I was thinking getting them to seedlings on the windowsill then transplanting outside. I have tried google and a couple of farmer type websites, but there's too much conflicting information - so was hoping that within this vast wealth of knowledge, someone may have some 1st hand experience.

Happy munching...