can anyone recommend a hardy Brazilian Orchid

[orchids44]

My son will be visiting Brazil next week. He will be in Rio De Janeiro and some surrounding areas. I've asked him to purchase an orchid and have the nursery ship the plant to me.
I have more than enough cattleyas and hybrids in this family.
Can anyone recommend a hardy orchid that would grow well in North Carolina? I summer the 'chids outside but have natural and artificial lighting for the winter.
Are there any Brazilian epidendrums that grow well in the states?
Thanks in advance for any recommendations, advice !!! I'm very excited about getting a Brazilian orchid.

[silken]

Check out Miranda Orchids' website. Francisco Miranda specializes in Brazilian orchids: Brazilian Orchids. Orchids of Brazil

[naoki]

You are not looking for orchids which can overwinter outside like Cypripedium, are you? Instead, you are looking for easy orchids, right? You might want to check the catalogues of
Bela Vista Orchids
and
Brazilian Orchids from Florália
They are well known nurseries. If you are getting only a few orchids (e.g. < $1000), it is probably cheaper and easier to pre-order than letting the nursery to ship plants. You probably know it but the cost of documentation/phytosanitary certificates in addition to international shipping could add up quite a bit. The two places I listed above usually come to the US for Redland International Orchid Festival. Then they can ship plants you pre-ordered from FL, and you only pay for the domestic shipping cost.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Naoki is right on many counts.

Speaking strictly about the US, CITES and phytosanitary paperwork is not optional, it is required in order to ship live plants internationally. You are also required to have a current and valid import permit from the USDA/APHIS in order to have live plants shipped directly from Brazil to the US.

The hobby import permit is free, but as was mentioned, the cost of CITES and phytosanitary paperwork can be costly, and that is not considering shipping and handling costs yet.

It is better to order from a Brazilian nursery that makes the international orchid show rounds.

And as was mentioned, I can confirm the fact that Floralia, (Floralia Orchids), is one of those that does make the US show rounds.

---------- Post added at 10:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 PM ----------

If you're tired of growing Cattleyas, Laelias, or even Encyclias, maybe try a Maxillaria or an Oncidium. Perhaps a Sophronitis would be another appealing choice.

[SOS]

Cattleya (Laelia) purpurata can take some light frost. What better orchid to represent Brasil than its national flower right? Some of the Hadrolaelia can take cooler temperatures too. C. pumila (non nobile type) and C. dayana come to mind.

[WhiteRabbit]

My first thought of Brazilian orchid is of course C (L) purpurata - the national flower of Brazil. I grow mine outside, sheltered in winter , into garage if there's a chance of freeze overnight.

C intermedia is known for some cold tolerance as well, and a smaller plant, but fairly large blooms for the size of the plant.

As others have mentioned, there may be certificates required to import ...

[orchids44]

Thank you all for your replies. I definitely will order from a US nursery. Lots of reading homework to decide which ones to order !!! This forum is sooo helpful!! .