April 29, 2008

LANSING - In the last five years, Internet sales of ornamental plants have become a major business enterprise and most larger firms selling ornamental plants expanded their options early on to include Internet sales. Now, anyone with a computer and a source of plants can sell online. The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) cautions homeowners to make wise decisions when ordering plants online

“Everything from daylilies to flowering weeping cherry trees can be purchased online. The Internet has become a variation of mail-order sale business,” said Mike Bryan, MDA nursery program manager. “The same convenience of ordering something from home and having it delivered to the front door appeals to many homeowners, especially with rising gas prices. Besides the convenience, people find they can order unusual and exotic varieties of plants that may not be available at the corner garden center.”

Nursery stock dealers must be licensed in some fashion in accordance with the law for the state. For example, in Michigan, all nursery stock grown in the state is inspected at least once a year by highly trained MDA inspectors. Additionally, MDA conducts spot dealer inspections to make sure nursery stock is free of pests and diseases.

During these inspections, MDA assures the nursery stock is of the size and grade advertised, is the variety described on the label, and is being cared for in a manner assuring plant’s survival. Also, the sale of weakened, dead, or dying plants is considered a violation of Michigan’s nursery law.

Consumers should take the following precautions:

• Homeowners should contact the Department of Agriculture in the state where the business is located if there is any doubt on the legitimacy of a firm.
• Avoid firms that do not list a street address - they may be difficult to track down later on if something goes wrong.
• Consumers should make sure the company is properly licensed and the product has been inspected and is certified free of pests and diseases

“Established firms will usually have a Web site where their product is marketed,” said Bryan. “These firms are usually quite dependable and offer good customer service.”

The risk of problems increases when the seller operates more in the realm of what resembles an electronic garage sale. In those situations, consumers that purchase from unlicensed firms run the same risk as buying at a garage sale - the product is likely to have not been inspected and may harbor pests or diseases. It may be difficult to get a refund from an unlicensed person that suddenly disappears into cyberspace when contacted about pest-infested, half-dead plants.

MDA advises consumers to purchase nursery stock from a Michigan firm. Selecting Michigan grown stock makes is good for you and good for the economy. Additionally, it helps with identifying plant provenance - the place where a plant evolved and had its genetic makeup determined. Many horticulturalists believe the place of origin helps determine whether a tree or shrub will survive in a specific region. Thus, when considering live trees and shrubs, a locally grown product is a better option.

Sales by unlicensed individuals selling off a few surplus backyard plants becomes a perfect mechanism for spreading pests, diseases, and even unwanted weeds across the country. That bargain deal may be fine or it may include another Japanese beetle-like insect or a weed akin to kudzu. Don’t take any chances - purchase from a reputable firm selling certified stock.

For more information, visit the MDA Web site at www.michigan.gov/mda.