"Do not propagate without licence" ???

I have a hydrangea (bought cheap in a sale earlier this year), popped it into the garden back May and it is now thriving ( ). Read in my book that now is a good time to take cuttings, so, had a little inspection this morning to see which stems might make the best candidates. Fortunately, I kept the label on the shrub and took a look: "Do not propagate without licence".

So, does that mean no one can, or, you can for your own personal pleasure but not for re-sale? I'm thinking the latter is correct, but just want to make certain

Thank you.

 

Good morning "M". I have had several plants/shrubs with such labels. As I understand it, you can propagate for personal use but not for selling purposes.

 

I just wouldn't sell it on.

But, here's a point to consider. A technicality. If you take a cutting off a plant and that cutting grows. Have you really propagated it? Does 'propagate' mean to duplicate/replicate or does it mean to increase in mass?

If it is the latter, then you can't even let the original plant grow without violating the license. Surely then it can't be that.

If it is the former, then you can take as many cuttings as you like, because each cutting is technically not a new plant, it is the same, original plant. Its not just genetically identical, it is the same material. All you're doing is allowing the plant to increase in mass in a more distributed arrangement than would have otherwise been the case.

 

How would they know? Would they come and take the plant back?
The Hydrangea police may have a "plant" in your area!

 

http://rense.com/general38/saver.htm

 

Newer species are properly protected from propagation for a specified period unless under licence to the owner (the person who has taken years of time and expense and knowledge to develop the new variety)
The object is to prevent anyone from making money out of his/her labours
It is directed towards commercial enterprises to prevent that happening.
If you are simply increasing your own stock then it is an irrelevance.
'Who is to know' is an apt comment, it would be impossible to police otherwise
You are fine so long as you do not attempt to sell. Even to sell for charitable purposes would be breaking the law

 

It is not a question of one's honesty, integrity or values ..... it is not unlawful to do so simply to increase your own stock

 

Just to clarify, this is a quote from the Plant Varieties Act 1997

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I'd be breaking the law continually if I wasn't legally allowed to increase the plants I have for my own use or to give to others...maybe the giving to others is a bit dodgy ? Recently I have propagated quite a few Sambucus Black Lace which are now happily growing in a few friends' gardens and took root cutting of quite a new variety of variegated Acanthus to increase my own small stock, better hope there isn't a knock on the door! That said I haven't made any financial gain out of propagation of newish varieties of plants so hopefully I'm not jail bound!

 

Thank you, shiney