Purchasing Orchids in Costa Rica

[skirincich]

Are there any unique opportunities to purchase orchids while traveling in Costa Rica?


Thanks,
Steve

[estación seca]

It's not easy bringing plants into the US, especially not orchids.

You need a USDA import permit for plant material, including seeds. There are plants forbidden entry, and you need to know this list.

At one time people could bring 12 plants through US Customs if they declared them and they were inspected, but I don't know whether this still happens.

Orchid species are another issue. They are covered by the CITES treaty, which forbids international shipping of species without a special CITES permit. You would need a Costa Rica CITES export permit and a US CITES import permit. CITES does not apply to most hybrids.

You can read about plant import permits at the USDA Web site. Look for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS.)

Edit: This forum is probably the wrong place for this thread. Most of the time it wouldn't matter, but I think threads in this forum pop up in the recurring message feed on a regular basis, even if nothing happens. Maybe a moderator will be able to move it.

[isurus79]

I suspect the Costa Rican vendors would be a good source of information on the topic. Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any vendors from that Country.

[skirincich]

Thanks for your thoughts! I probably should have been more specific about bringing back flasks only.

Thanks,
Steve

[estación seca]

Flasks need import permits and I believe, if species, CITES permits. They don't need phytosanitary certificates.

[skirincich]

Apparently not all of the orchids in Costa Rica are native! I will spare you the dendrobium, catasetum, and arundina photos. A few photos from the bottom the Arenal volcano.

Enjoy!
Steve