Shipping orchids from UK to US? Or searching for Scottish orchid enthusiasts.

[PrognatusAfera]

Hey all.

Sorry for the weird title--not sure what I could have posted to be more precise.

Basically, I've moved to Edinburgh (Scotland!) for five years for vet school, and I've had to leave all of my beloved orchids at home to be taken care of by my mother.

I've been here for three months (and three days), and am losing it already, not having many orchids to care for here.

I've rescued two generic Phals already who are both doing very well on my windowsill, but I'm craving species. That brings me to a dilemma.

I am a very sentimental person, so the thought of sending good orchids to their deaths (by giving them away to non-enthusiasts or whatever) after I finish my degree and leave here is enough to keep me from buying any right now.

So do I have any options here? Is there any way AT ALL that I could ship the orchids I grow here to home in the US when I'm done here? (I know CITEs and such throw plenty of complications in there, but is there maybe a way I can pay someone to get the process done right?)

Or, alternatively, are there any serious orchid people around here? I've found the site for the Scottish Orchid Society, but it's not particularly informative, and exams this month will keep me from being able to try out the meeting (which I probably shouldn't be going to as a newcomer anyway, as it's slated to be the Christmas party). I've been hoping that maybe there is a good enough orchid community here where I could manage to either sell or donate my species to caring, responsible owners when I leave.

Any advice, suggestions, thoughts, random musings? Hope I'm not being a pain; I'm just craving orchid exposure.

[Tschimm]

Five years without orchids ? That's really not an option !

I'd go to the meeting, even if you're the newcomer at the Christmas party.
Who when not other orchid lovers would understand your dilemma ?
I'm sure you will find a solution together.

[AnonYMouse]

I'm pretty sure there are Scottish OB members, certainly UK and EU members. You should be able to send plants within the UK. Others will know if you can ship to within the EU.

Anyways, get what you enjoy. Worry about the rest in 4.5 years time.

[camille1585]

Must be rough to leave all your plants behind. Just get yourself some orchids, enjoy them, and I think you should be able to rehouse them before leaving. Shipping within EU is hassle free, no paperwork involved. So when the time comes, I can buy some off of you (and even pick them up directly in Edinburgh on one of my visits there). And in the meantime you have 5 years to figure out if shipping some back stateside is a viable and affordable option. I think you apply for CITES per genus, so if that's the case it may be wise to restrict the number of genera your new orchids are from. But this is info I vaguely remember reading....

Welcome to Europe by the way! Scotland is absolutely fantastic, I hope you will take the time to enjoy all it has to offer (amazing landscapes/hiking, delicious whiskey, yummy haggis...). If I ever have the opportunity, I will move there. I go visit friends in Edinburgh once or twice a year, and leave with a heavy heart each time. Next trip to Edinburgh is in less than 2 months, and have planned some hiking in the northern part of the Cairngorms.

[Biohazard156]

Hi!

I'm an Edinburgh resident and new member of the Scottish orchid Society!
I'm sure there would be folk who would re home your beloved plant if you chose to leave them behind when you go!

Glad to see another orchid lover in these parts, always feel a bit lonely!!

Welcome!

Anna

[PrognatusAfera]

@Tschimm: Right?! I made it about a week and a half here before I came home carrying the first rescued Phal. (I was actually still so new here that I managed to get lost, carrying this Phal, halfway home. Picture this: a vet student walking around the streets of Edinburgh in the rain, looking lost, dragging around a loaded Ikea bag and a bare-stemmed orchid, with a half-crazed grin the whole time.)

I had to laugh at myself when I got home.

I guess you're right--I'll definitely head to the society meetings. I won't be able to make this one either way, with the exam schedule this week, but hopefully next month.

Thanks for the thoughts!

---------- Post added at 08:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 PM ----------

Originally Posted by camille1585

Must be rough to leave all your plants behind. Just get yourself some orchids, enjoy them, and I think you should be able to rehouse them before leaving. Shipping within EU is hassle free, no paperwork involved. So when the time comes, I can buy some off of you (and even pick them up directly in Edinburgh on one of my visits there). And in the meantime you have 5 years to figure out if shipping some back stateside is a viable and affordable option. I think you apply for CITES per genus, so if that's the case it may be wise to restrict the number of genera your new orchids are from. But this is info I vaguely remember reading....

Welcome to Europe by the way! Scotland is absolutely fantastic, I hope you will take the time to enjoy all it has to offer (amazing landscapes/hiking, delicious whiskey, yummy haggis...). If I ever have the opportunity, I will move there. I go visit friends in Edinburgh once or twice a year, and leave with a heavy heart each time. Next trip to Edinburgh is in less than 2 months, and have planned some hiking in the northern part of the Cairngorms.

Awesome, thank you for the encouragement! I'm glad to hear good thoughts on Edinburgh--I'm certainly enjoying it so far here! Definitely not used to the lack of sun, but the mildness (relative to snowy, icy winters back home) is a welcome change.

I don't think I can resist, especially with all the support I'm getting on this--I'm going to have to start buying orchids. Time to research where to get them then, huh?

I'll keep you in mind, too, so that in 4.5/ish years' time, if you're still up for it, I can make sure some of my babies head to someone safe. <3

---------- Post added at 08:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:23 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Biohazard156

Hi!

I'm an Edinburgh resident and new member of the Scottish orchid Society!
I'm sure there would be folk who would re home your beloved plant if you chose to leave them behind when you go!

Glad to see another orchid lover in these parts, always feel a bit lonely!!

Welcome!

Anna

You're in Edinburgh? That's awesome! I feel less lonely already, somehow.

---------- Post added at 08:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 PM ----------

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

I'm pretty sure there are Scottish OB members, certainly UK and EU members. You should be able to send plants within the UK. Others will know if you can ship to within the EU.

Anyways, get what you enjoy. Worry about the rest in 4.5 years time.

Thanks for the support! Yea I'm pretty sure, honestly, that there's really no choice in the matter: I can deny it all I want, but I know I'm going to end up caving. The question is, I guess, whether it happens sooner or later.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by PrognatusAfera

@Tschimm: Right?! I made it about a week and a half here before I came home carrying the first rescued Phal. (I was actually still so new here that I managed to get lost, carrying this Phal, halfway home. Picture this: a vet student walking around the streets of Edinburgh in the rain, looking lost, dragging around a loaded Ikea bag and a bare-stemmed orchid, with a half-crazed grin the whole time.)

I had to laugh at myself when I got home.

I guess you're right--I'll definitely head to the society meetings. I won't be able to make this one either way, with the exam schedule this week, but hopefully next month.

Thanks for the thoughts!

---------- Post added at 08:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 PM ----------


Awesome, thank you for the encouragement! I'm glad to hear good thoughts on Edinburgh--I'm certainly enjoying it so far here! Definitely not used to the lack of sun, but the mildness (relative to snowy, icy winters back home) is a welcome change.

I don't think I can resist, especially with all the support I'm getting on this--I'm going to have to start buying orchids. Time to research where to get them then, huh?

I'll keep you in mind, too, so that in 4.5/ish years' time, if you're still up for it, I can make sure some of my babies head to someone safe.

Well, a good place to start your shopping when the weather gets better would be here Orchids Vendors in Europe

Good luck with your exams!!