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13. Where can I obtain Adromischus?

Cok & Ine Grootscholten at their Succulenta Kwekerij in Honselersdijk, Netherlands also sell a good range of species, email: info@succulenta-kwekerij.nl. Try also Jean-André Audissou in Fouras,  France. In South Africa, the best two nurseries for Adromischus plants are Kotie Retief & Sean Gildenhuys at Gariep Plants in Hatfield in Pretoria, email: kambroo@mweb.co.za or gariep@succulents.net and Sheilam Nursery near Robertson, email: sheilam@lando.co.za.

Many other specialist cactus and succulent plant nurseries on the Internet can be found via the Cactus-Mall portal web site, but others that I know only sell a few species of Adromischus. I would be very happy to be able to recommend more nursery sources here!

From the veld: Although CITES permits are not applicable to Adromischus, it is illegal under South African law to collect succulent plants (protected flora) from the veld. To pick succulents legally, you need a plant collection permit, the landowner's written permission and then maybe phytosanitary certificates to take plants out of South Africa - see this on-line article from Veld & Flora (1999). Such flora permits can be issued by the Cape Nature Conservation Board or see this SANBI Contacts List, but their requirements are not readily achievable by amateurs!

Any plant material collected should be the minimum amount needed for research or propagation. It must be thoroughly cleaned and subsequently quarantined. In my opinion, it is quite immoral by modern standards to collect wild plants for direct sale, or for showing off as holiday trophies! The days of financing a trip by selling plants have long since passed. Even after legal collection from the veld with the landowner's permission, nurseries should never sell plants before propagation and selection for suitability in cultivation. So says, Preacher Tribble!

Phytosanitary certificates: Most countries require these health certificates for the import of plant and plant products e.g. seeds, bulbs, cut flowers, etc. whether wild or nursery grown. In South Africa, phytosanitary certificates are issued by the Directorate: Plant and Quality Control, Department of Agriculture, which has offices at airports and other locations throughout the country. They do not appear to have an on-line web site giving information.

I have bought succulents in SA nurseries and taken them to be inspected for good health at the tall Custom's Building office, just outside the harbour in Cape Town. You do not need an appointment there, but would at CT Airport which is not always staffed. You will need receipts for purchase/donation on headed paper. Thus I have been able to carry plants home with me on my flight. Always take them as hand luggage, since it can get very hot/cold in aircraft luggage bays.

Last thoughts: As is so often the case, the best source is to beg or swap leaves with friends. Adromischus leaves travel well, if in a rigid container, via the postal service. To quote Ron Ginns from NCSJ (1973) vol. 28:2 p. 39: " As evidence of ease of propagation, my A. roaneanus came to me as a single leaf enclosed in an airmail letter without any packing, from Rhodesia. It is certainly authentic, as it was sent by Mr Roan ..."