MU Extension: Do Not Plant Seeds You Did Not Order
August 05, 2020
The Missouri Department of Agriculture has gotten reports of Missourians receiving unsolicited seeds from foreign countries such as China. Photo from Missouri Department of Agriculture.
University of Missouri Extension horticulturists are asking the public to report unsolicited seed deliveries.
MU Extension horticulturist Robert Balek notes that there have been reports from around the country of people receiving small padded envelopes of seed that they did not order. The seeds appear to originate from China.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (www.aphis.usda.gov(opens in new window)) and other state and federal agencies have issued alerts.
Don’t plant seeds from unknown sources, Balek warns. The seeds could introduce invasive species, pests, diseases, viruses and bacteria that could harm native plants, insects, crops and livestock.
Some social media posts suggest that the shipments are part of a “brushing” campaign, a technique used to boost an e-commerce seller’s ratings through fake orders.
If you receive one of these shipments, do not open the package, plant the seeds or put the seeds in the trash, Balek says. Buy seeds and plants from reputable companies.
Send the unsolicited seeds and packaging (still in the plastic bag) as soon as possible to Michael Brown, USDA APHIS Missouri state plant health director, at the following address:
State Plant Health Director
USDA APHIS PPQ
Attn: SEEDS
1715 Southridge Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Include contact information (name, address, phone number) of the submitter.
Also notify Brown by email michael.e.brown@usda.gov, and cc the message to aginfo@mda.mo.gov and ipm@missouri.edu to let everyone know a seed shipment is coming.
If mailing the seeds is not an option, contact Brown at 573-893-6833 to make other arrangements.
Gardeners with questions can contact their regional MU Extension horticulture specialist, email Balek at balekr@missouri.edu, or visit the Ask a Missouri Master Gardener Facebook page at facebook.com/AskaMissouriMasterGardener.
MU Extension horticulturist Robert Balek notes that there have been reports from around the country of people receiving small padded envelopes of seed that they did not order. The seeds appear to originate from China.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (www.aphis.usda.gov(opens in new window)) and other state and federal agencies have issued alerts.
Don’t plant seeds from unknown sources, Balek warns. The seeds could introduce invasive species, pests, diseases, viruses and bacteria that could harm native plants, insects, crops and livestock.
Some social media posts suggest that the shipments are part of a “brushing” campaign, a technique used to boost an e-commerce seller’s ratings through fake orders.
If you receive one of these shipments, do not open the package, plant the seeds or put the seeds in the trash, Balek says. Buy seeds and plants from reputable companies.
Send the unsolicited seeds and packaging (still in the plastic bag) as soon as possible to Michael Brown, USDA APHIS Missouri state plant health director, at the following address:
State Plant Health Director
USDA APHIS PPQ
Attn: SEEDS
1715 Southridge Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Include contact information (name, address, phone number) of the submitter.
Also notify Brown by email michael.e.brown@usda.gov, and cc the message to aginfo@mda.mo.gov and ipm@missouri.edu to let everyone know a seed shipment is coming.
If mailing the seeds is not an option, contact Brown at 573-893-6833 to make other arrangements.
Gardeners with questions can contact their regional MU Extension horticulture specialist, email Balek at balekr@missouri.edu, or visit the Ask a Missouri Master Gardener Facebook page at facebook.com/AskaMissouriMasterGardener.