To the best of my knowledge, all checked and hand-carried luggage is x-rayed. For most seeds the levels of radiation are not mutagenic. I don't have any information on long term effects on bulbs however. If in doubt, I would send them by UPS or FedEx. Boyce Tankersley Director of Living Plant Documentation Chicago Botanic Garden 1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe, IL 60022 tel: 847-835-6841 fax: 847-835-1635 email: btankers@chicagobotanic.org -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Laura & Dave Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 3:40 PM To: Pacific Bulb Society Subject: [pbs] A question about plants and bulbs through airport security Does anyone know the effects of the x-ray machines on plants at Airport security? I'm going to the NARGS Winter Study Weekend in San Mateo, and probably will run into something that won't let go of my leg until I promise it a home. In years past, there was no problem; I just carried them on and shoved them into the overhead bins. More recently I brought bulbs back from Chicago, and they insisted they be x-rayed, despite the easily inspectable net bags they were in. And while I admit it is probably poor culture on my part, several of the bags full have not done well (Galanthus elwesii and Leucojum vernum in particular), waning over the three year span since arriving. I grow others of these species, and they do well. I'm not sure that plants can even be carried on anymore. I could pack them well and put them in my luggage, but I think those are x-rayed now too. And there is always the problem of cold and low pressure in the baggage compartment. Another alternative is shipping them (USPS, UPS etc.), but I don't know what they are subjected to after they leave my hands. Thanks, any advice would be appreciated. Dave Brastow, Tumwater Washington USA zone 7A (With a light dusting of SNOW?! this morning) _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php