Exotic Seed Emporium

I've just come across this site. Has anyone used them? Based in Bulgaria. They're not over-generous with quantities but there are some interesting plants mixed in with the popys

 

I would have thought it was illegal to import seed from Bulgaria to the UK without the appropriate certifications

 

It does state 'worldwide shipping' on their site, and also 'seeds not provided with phytosanitary certificate'. They were based in Wales and now operate from Bulgaria Obviously, not only not a problem for me ordering from France but a positive relief to find a business providing seeds of plants a little out of the (very) ordinary!

 

Don't normally have problems importing seeds to the UK, plants need a phyto or passport...but even that gets restrictive for a lot of the places I used to get plants from

 

I've bought seed from outside the UK, maybe it got through because it was small amounts in a padded envelope, perhaps if you bought a larger amount that meant a small package then they would have to declare what was in it.

 

The official way is to register with DEFRA for seed sellers, the possibility of bringing new diseases or invasive plants via buying unregulated seed is not responsible. They clearly know this if they specify they're not.

We all like plants we can't get at times but resorting to what is illegal import is problematic. Sorry to dampen the enthusiasm.

 

D'know what, I'll still buy seeds from abroad if I can't find what I want over here for the right price. However, having said that, the type of stuff I grow won't survive outside in a UK winter...they barely survive a UK summer!
There are sites via the .GOV website that will let you know what they will allow you to grow and which ones you'll get strung up by the dangly bits if you import them

 

You're not dampening my enthusiasm one jot as I pointed out above, I'm in Europe, they're in Europe, all's fine and dandy I was just asking whether anyone here knew of them and had bought seeds from them (possibly before they moved from Wales) and if so, whether it was a good experience.
What a shame you take such a serious view of life. One of the biggest pleasures associated with gardening used to be exchanging unusual plants with like-minded enthusiasts. The restrictions and bans in many cases have far more to do with economics than a desire to limit pests and diseases.

 

I have bought seeds (and corms/plants( from a variety of folk in various Eastern block countries, Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, with no issues. However, sorry I don't know these folk. Also, I only buy off e-Bay. They have interesting stuff ... I'd go for it.

 

Thanks, @Victoria! It was the photo of your lovely Ipomoea that got me hunting ...

 

The Cairo? I got that as a plug plant from Spain from someone I use a lot (because I am fairly useless with seeds).

 

Ah..good to know that there's a back-up plant supplier I find most Ipomoeas germinate well, in fact the annuals self-sow here, and I. learii (indica) is a real brute, so reckon I. cairica should do well

 

I think the professionals are responsible for most of the plant diseases we get these days.

I very much doubt all this phytosanitary stuff really gets adhered to, its just a box ticking exercise.
Add to that all those people everyday coming back off holidays with a few cuttings and seeds.

 

I haven't got a clue what you're talking about?