Citrus seed vendors that can do phyto?

[JSea]

As the topic states

[poncirsguy]

What is Phyto  My neighbors' dog's name is phyto.

[caladri]

In my experience or research around US sources:

• Citrus TreeSource
• Lyn Citrus Seed (although they've demanded an import permit even for destinations where only a phytosanitary certificate is required, which is impossible to get)
• Any of the government/university programs that sell seed
• Sheffield's (their Poncirus seed is okay)

Note that the phytosanitary certificate for New Zealand for seeds from the US has to confirm that the seeds were produced in an area where citrus canker and HLB are not known to occur. That might be a tough one to get from the USDA, since seeds do not transmit either disease, and seeds are often produced in areas where both are known to occur.

[poncirsguy]

with the full word I was able to look it up.  Thanks

[JSea]

Thanks caladri.

Yes I'm aware of the extra declarations required. US seed is mostly off the list, although I don't yet understand if there's a difference between a disease-tested, insect-free facility and the general area around the facility in terms of HLB presence.

Any further hints on these government/university programs? I did find this article on Citrus collections which lists a few names: https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/12/4/814#app1-plants-12-00814

[caladri]

AusCitrus is definitely a good one, and definitely do international orders. There's folks in South Africa, including CRI, who seem like they ought to work, but I've had a difficult time communicating with them (I have tried.)

It seems like Citrus New Zealand was supposed to have a trusted budwood distribution program, but I've also struggled to find information about it. Have you contacted them to ask about domestic seed suppliers? (And if you do, or if you already know, I'd be very keen to know what kind of seed they have available, and whether they ship internationally! I've read some historical accounts that include information about when different rootstocks came into use in New Zealand, but don't know anything about the contemporary landscape. I assume it's probably pretty basic, unlike Australia which has had an infusion of Chinese funding and germplasm to support closer ties with China around the citrus industry — all of which is export-restricted.)

[pagnr]

unlike Australia which has had an infusion of Chinese funding and germplasm to support closer ties with China around the citrus industry — all of which is export-restricted.

Can you expand on this ?? I knew they had new Chinese varieties, but didn't know about the funding or links. That is very interesting.

[JSea]

I have been in contact with Auscitrus and they have been very helpful, but sadly they only really have rootstock Citrus seeds, and their budwood is of relatively homogenous stuff (e.g. mandarins, navel oranges - not really any wild Citrus). When did you contact CRI? I was thinking about trying as well.

That budwood program is defunct now. There is a remaining Citrus collection in a Crown Research Institute, but I've not yet figured out exactly what they have in there. Maybe will visit it in a few months. Can dig up the list of what varieties they had in the budwood program if that's helpful.

There are no domestic seed suppliers, and even if there was - it would be only trifoliata. Maybe one day I will have sufficient quantity to ship internationally, but can't comment on how difficult the phytosanitary stuff would be.

There is no real evidence of alternative rootstocks anymore, at least for public use. Some small scale nurseries imported their own seed and sold things grafted onto C35 recently though.