Seeds from Russia, Ukraine, etc.?

[Greatgardens]

I've ordered tomato seeds from Russia, Croatia, and Ukraine in the past and had no issues. I recently discovered a Russian seller on eBay that carries lots of "hearts." Quite a few are determinate; several are F1 and det. So I'm planning on ordering some soon. (It would seem that heart varieties are quite popular in Russia.)

But has anyone ordered and received seeds after the changes in the U.S. plant/seed import restrictions? Did they come through OK? I know that some states restrict specific varieties, but that's a different matter. Hate to order these and have them confiscated at customs.

[kath]

I ordered Chocolate Miracle from an eBay seller from Russia on Jan. 23 this year. The estimated date of arrival was given as Feb. 13- Mar. 3 and the seeds were delivered in a padded mailer yesterday, Feb. 13.

[eyolf]

My kids say that people order marijuana seeds from Europe through the mail. I assume sellers figure out ways to sneak them through.

I have traded seeds in the past by putting them in greeting cards with foil decorations

[pepperhead212]

I can't speak about seeds from those regions, but I've gotten a number of things from India since those new restrictions took place, both spices and plant seeds, and have had no problems. Received everything fairly fast, and none looked like they had been opened for inspection.

[clara]

If you are afraid, seeds sent from Russia may not come through, try Estonia.

https://seemnemaailm.ee/en/

They offer a lot of Russian/Ukrainian etc. seeds (not only tomatoes). I've ordered from them several times, always got my order rather quickly (in a padded envelope). The only bad thing is that you have to use a translator because almost all descriptions are in Russian, Ukrainian, Estonian language and very few in English.

[MissS]

I have not had any problems. Orders came fast and safe.

[NarnianGarden]

I have ordered plenty, some in professional packages. (there were error seeds in some of the commercially packed though.. not always correct..)

Now, the current legislation forbids ordering any seeds from outside EU countries.. shame.. but I got plenty for the next ten years..

[NarnianGarden]

Yes, seemnemaailm is always an option. Their postage costs though - not so encouraging..

[clara]

Seemnemaailm always sends with insurance, so I don't think the postage costs are too high. The costs depend also on the weight of your order.

[Greatgardens]

Update: I received my order promptly, but one of the varieties was missing -- EM-Champion, which was the one I really wanted. No reply from the seller yet, although she was listed as "out" on her store. Hopefully I will get this as a second, later mailing.

[Nan6b]

You ordered them when they were out of stock? I'd think most seed sellers only get one seed harvest a year...

[Greatgardens]

Showed in-stock when ordered. Seller has since contacted me and says she has now mailed EM-Champion. The seeds I've received thus far are all commercial "seed rack" packets. I also ordered several F1 hybrids, so I don't believe she is a grower-seller -- instead, a re-seller, so she could have gotten more stock. I suspect that several of the varieties I've received are every bit as good as EM-Champion, but it is a "known commodity" to some degree. And thus far from my limited experience with Russian/Ukrainian varieties, they are hardy and good!

[loulac]

Hi everybody, I'm a newcomer from Tomatoville, glad to meet here former acquaintances.
I have ordered seeds from Croatian seeds, they were delivered very quickly. Prices are reasonable.

https://croatianseeds-store.com/index.p ... 2/tomatoes

All the best

[Nan6b]

GreatGardens, I'm very interested to read about your results from those that might be similar to EM-Champion. Please share later in the season!

[Greatgardens]

Will do, but at most I might get 3 of these planted this season.
Here's what I ordered, and a link to Olga's eBay store:
https://www.ebay.com/str/olzzza

"EM-Champion" (no longer listed at her site, but was originally) IIRC, she sold over 100 packets of this one. This was the only internet source that I found, so probably quite a few folks had the same idea.
“Honey Heart”
“Pink Large F1”
“Golden Mile F1”
“Pamela F1”
“Ruby Heart F1”
“New Orange F1”
“Heart Striped”

IIRC, these are all hearts, and all or nearly all are determinant. Alas, EM-Champion is the only PL variety. She has pretty good descriptions in English. Some of the words are a bit "off," but way better than having to Google translate them. She writes emails in English, also.