Moving to Panama

[Droshi]

So we might be moving to Panama in the next year or so. Curious to know about others who may have moved there and how importing plant material is? I know in country they will have a lot, but you know as fruit people, gotta have one of every variety!

I also would enjoy trying to grow Durian and I'm not sure if it even exists there.

Anyone with fruit knowledge of the area let me know!

We haven't locked down a for sure region mountain or low land yet, planning to live there a few months before deciding to look for land.

[Finca La Isla]

Panama has great potential for fruit growing. I am most familiar with the Bocas del Toro region and there are some projects there with interesting material. Durian could be grown everywhere I’ve been in Panama except for the highest areas. I get clients who are looking for trees they can’t find there but there’s more rare fruit there all the time.
Peter

[Droshi]

Thanks Peter, appreciate the info! Do you know how importing plants from Costa Rica is to Panama? And vise versa for trading perhaps? Would expect easy, but let me know the experiences you have there.

Thanks!

[Finca La Isla]

To legally cross the border with plants in either direction would be difficult. In practice, there are ways to easily move quite a few plants with minimal risk or problems.

[CarolynKing]

Has anything changed since? Is it still that difficult to cross the border with plants?

[MattEdmunds]

Spammer

[Finca La Isla]

In Sixaola there is a dock about 200m downriver from the bridge where the formal crossing is. That’s where you take plants across the border.

[caseytoliver]

Spammer

[VirginiaHart]

I know this answer is a bit late, but I just wanted to chime in. I'm excited to share my experience with moving to a new place. When I moved, I usually made a list of what furniture I'd need and sold the rest. It helped me cut down on clutter and save some money.Have you considered full service movers? I recently discovered them, and they were super helpful on my last move. They take care of everything, including packing and transportation, so you don't have to worry about a thing.Regarding growing Durian, I'm not sure if it exists in Panama, but I'm sure you'll find plenty of other delicious fruits to enjoy. Panama is known for its amazing tropical fruits like mangoes, pineapples, and papayas.

[mangoba]

I know this answer is a bit late, but I just wanted to chime in. I'm new on this forum, but I'm excited to share my experience with moving to a new place. When I moved, I usually made a list of what furniture I'd need and sold the rest. It helped me cut down on clutter and save some money.

A very sophisticated bot.

[johnb51]

I know this answer is a bit late, but I just wanted to chime in. I'm new on this forum, but I'm excited to share my experience with moving to a new place. When I moved, I usually made a list of what furniture I'd need and sold the rest. It helped me cut down on clutter and save some money.

A very sophisticated bot.

So strange.

[sc4001992]

Peter, I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to ask you about some Panama citrus fruits.

I heard there is a national lemon of Panama, it sounds like it is slightly different from our normal lemons here in the US. If you know the variety name of this lemon or have any photos to share, please do so. I have a few seeds a friend is growing of this lemon but I couldn't find any information on the internet browsing looking for a photo of the fruit.

Thanks.

[elriba]

Peter, I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to ask you about some Panama citrus fruits.

I heard there is a national lemon of Panama, it sounds like it is slightly different from our normal lemons here in the US. If you know the variety name of this lemon or have any photos to share, please do so. I have a few seeds a friend is growing of this lemon but I couldn't find any information on the internet browsing looking for a photo of the fruit.

Thanks.

Hi,
What is called "national lemon" is really quite different from american lemons.  In fact, I am not sure it is really a lemon.  It is green and looks basically identical to a small persian lime.  In terms of its flavor, it also tastes quite similar to a persian lime. 

In supermarkets you can typically find both "lemons": the "national lemon", and the persian lime, which is referred to as "grafted lemon".   Yellow lemons are also typically sold in markets, but I think that for the most part they are imported...  I'd guess mostly "Eureka" lemons....  Very difficult to find "Meyer's" lemons.

HTH...

[sc4001992]

elriba,

Thank you for replying with this information. Our friends who have relatives go there for visits to Panama. I think what you describe for the national lemon sounds correct. When I asked the person who said he loves the lemon to show me a photo he couldn't. He just had brought seeds back to grow this lemon. He did say the outside was green when ripe and the inside flesh color was yellow or orange. I will ask him again if he found the fruits when he visited last month. I wanted to see the photo so that I can also determine what it is. I have pretty much all the lemon varieties here in the US and Italy types as well, but never heard or seen photos of this Panama national lemon if it exists.

[Finca La Isla]

There are lots of sour citrus in Central America with varying presentation and common names. In Spanish I only hear the word Limon which mostly translates to lime but could also be used for a lemon.
True lemons seem to want dry weather while limes readily tolerate humidity which we have in abundance.
What is most common in Costa Rica are:
Limón criollo which is a green lime with seeds most similar to key or Mexican lime.
Limon mesina which is a seedless lime sometimes called Persian lime.
Limón mandarina which is a rough skinned citrus that is orange inside. Rangpur lime.
I don’t really know if one of these is ‘Nacional’ in Panama but the ones I am listing can be looped up and compared. I would be surprised if Panama had something they called Nacional that we don’t have here.
Peter

[johnb51]

What about "lima," which is sweet lime, Citrus limetta?  I tasted that one in Bolivia many years ago.  Besides being sweet, it has a very unique flavor.

[Finca La Isla]

Yeah, so I assumed we were talking about sour citrus. What you called ‘Lima’ is known as Limon Dulce in Central America and I think I’ve heard it called that in South America as well. It’s definitely commercial and appreciated for supposed medicinal qualities.
Personally, I don’t really care for it. For a relatively sweet citrus I would never choose it over a good orange, mandarin, or most other citrus.
Incidentally, when it comes to limes for drinks and ceviche, etc. the two most used are the criollo and the Limon mandarina. The latter is very juicy and generally cheaper. But supermarkets mostly stock the Limon mesina or Persian lime.
Peter

[Perplexed]

I assume I am a bit late, but from what I've gathered, importing plant material can be quite a process due to strict regulations aimed at protecting local agriculture and ecosystems. It's definitely worth looking into Panama's specific requirements on importing fruit plants to ensure you comply with all regulations.

As for growing Durian, Panama's tropical climate might be suitable, but it's essential to check local agricultural zones and possibly connect with local growers for the best advice.

When it came to actually moving, I had a good experience using Three Movers. They were super helpful in sorting out the logistics, which could be especially tricky if you're thinking about bringing plant material along. Definitely worth checking out for a smoother move to Panama.

[Finca La Isla]

There’s some material there but not like Costa Rica. People come here to get plants frequently. Bocas del Toro is good for growing durian and other equatorial, low land fruits.
For higher altitude, cooler climates Boquete and Volcán can work well and they are also close to the CR border.
Peter

[Kaptainymp]

Finding a house with a yard that can handle these beauties can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack!  Especially if you're planning a move and need to consider a whole new climate.

[Calusa]

Finding a house with a yard that can handle these beauties can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack!  Especially if you're planning a move and need to consider a whole new climate.

Some would say they'd be better off staying where they are and waiting for the climate to change there. I mean it's only a matter of a few years, some dried up creek beds, leaves turning brown, precipitation "not what is used to be" and some other foreboding signs of doom.

[Epicatt2]

Some would say they'd be better off staying where they are and waiting for the climate to change there. I mean it's only a matter of a few years, some dried up creek beds, leaves turning brown, precipitation "not what is used to be" and some other foreboding signs of doom.

So Calusa, are you suggesting that it might be wise to clean out the rain gutters (or install some) and use them to collect water in a large catchment tank during the rainy eason for use later on during the dry season? 

Catchment is what used to be done decades ago here in some areas of Tampa.  (I recall seeing at least one still active catchment system here in Old Seminole Heights about six blocks from me.)

Paul M.
=

[Odiss]

In panama if you importing true delivery service like RNB, or other ones, what don’t go true to custom, and they import from US it’s no problem, problem when you try to get something outside you need to get custom agent to deal with it, who will pay under the table otherwise they will hold you package in hot room for one month, even with all certificates

[Odiss]

Also I be not recommend to move to main land

[Odiss]

Also it’s almost no way to find good fruit plants in panama or exotic ones, even local fruits, no one grow, except mango, citrus, rambutan, chupa-chupa, coco, pipa, soursop, papaya, bananas, plantain, maracuja, this all what they grow.
They have plant list what authorized for import but it’s not updated since 1988
Any way if you want to do something you just need to smuggle in different ways