Import permit for orchids from Thailand (shipping to USA)

[DirtyCoconuts]

10 is reeeeeaaallly nice for the orchids....


Don’t try to grow much other than tropical fruits and veggies though. Our sun and rain schedule can flat kill even the toughest temperate plants and the few that can survive don’t fruit....not that I’m bitter, I have lots of deliciousness in my yard, I’d just like a kiwi or an apple or a pear hahaha



The weather is always better....

[Chemtiger]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

I've lived in zone 5 my entire life. Got changed to zone 6a courtesy of the government a few years back. (No move involved of course.)

You're in 9b after 35 years of life in zone 3... and want 10?!?

Agreed. Enough whining Chemtiger.

Yes, yes, of course, I’m done whining. I don’t know how I grew orchids successfully in Minneapolis, but I guess I wasn’t as hard on myself when I had a lot of vegetative growth, but no blooms for 2-3 years after I got each plant. I know now that my light levels were horribly deficient, but the funny thing is that I need to use LOTS of supplemental light here, too. I’m glad I learned how to care for the plants up there, because it made the care here seem comparatively easy.

I realize that I’m a few months late, but congratulations New Super Moderator™! You and Roberta (right? I need to come on here more often, I apologize) are both knowledgeable and very deserving!

[Roberta]

Thanks, Chemtiger - Do come back more often!
I think it earlier in this thread when you first asked about this... someone here had some experience with the process, and found it to be pretty uncomplicated for an individual (as opposed to a business)- With the appropriate documentation (I am sure just a permit number) the package is mailed through the suitable port of entry and then on to you. You should be able to get instructions from the involved agency (once you figure out which one it is) - don't know if it is USDA or Fish and Wildlife. You're quite right to want to make sure you have it correct before you start but don't think it is too complicated or expensive. I guess I need to treasure my Phal hieroglyphica... it's a great plant, I lucked into it at a society auction (I think it was donated by Sorella Orchids of Camarillo, California but don't know if she has it any more, a small vendor)

[Chemtiger]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

10 is reeeeeaaallly nice for the orchids....


Don’t try to grow much other than tropical fruits and veggies though. Our sun and rain schedule can flat kill even the toughest temperate plants and the few that can survive don’t fruit....not that I’m bitter, I have lots of deliciousness in my yard, I’d just like a kiwi or an apple or a pear hahaha



The weather is always better....

Oh, believe me, I understand about the fruit! We finally got bananas, but as it turns out, they’re really plantains. But we have had some pretty good luck with citrus, last year I had so many limes, Meyer lemons, and satsumas that I took BUSHELS of it to a nearby food bank. I hope someone had a use for it, I couldn’t let it just rot on the tree, it was really yummy, but I can’t make every one of my meals citrus for X number of weeks! I don’t even use pesticides or anything on the trees, I have had good luck with that, I think, because I live close enough to the Mississippi River to keep the temperature near the level of the ground above freezing, as the River doesn’t freeze this far south, and I think I’m at 18 feet above sea level. But yeah, I definitely understand the desire for pears and kiwis, that may be a bit out of our league for me in zone 9!

Not to go too far off-topic like I always do, but I do wonder if I could successfully grow peaches or blueberries here, or if it’s something that’s special with the soil in Alabama and Georgia, or Mississippi (I have a friend whose family owns a Christmas tree farm that also has a lot of blueberry trees, just a few miles north of Gulfport, MS), that allows for such lovely peaches in those states. Maybe there’s hope!! Or maybe I’m just craving something delicious and fruity to eat now!

---------- Post added at 04:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:27 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Thanks, Chemtiger - Do come back more often!
I think it earlier in this thread when you first asked about this... someone here had some experience with the process, and found it to be pretty uncomplicated for an individual (as opposed to a business)- With the appropriate documentation (I am sure just a permit number) the package is mailed through the suitable port of entry and then on to you. You should be able to get instructions from the involved agency (once you figure out which one it is) - don't know if it is USDA or Fish and Wildlife. You're quite right to want to make sure you have it correct before you start but don't think it is too complicated or expensive. I guess I need to treasure my Phal hieroglyphica... it's a great plant, I lucked into it at a society auction (I think it was donated by Sorella Orchids of Camarillo, California but don't know if she has it any more, a small vendor)

Hi, yes, the more I visit—by “visit” I mean the opposite of “lurk” which I’m very good at—the more I want to do so, and then I cross into “not wanting to shut up” haha! Definitely treasure that Phal! [psst...if it decides to, you know, keiki, I’ll pay top dollar!] But seriously, it seems that there’s a cycle with some of these orchids, which seems to last about the same amount of time as it takes to go from “sowing” orchid seeds to the approximate amount of time it takes to get a “first-bloom sized” plant. I’ve noticed this with this particular Phal, as well as the Phal. “Mini-Mark” (available in Europe, though). Norman’s has some Phal. hieroglyphicas with the alba coloration, but I’d be spending close to $100 if I include shipping, and I hear that’s not the best place to buy orchids (I was up veeeery late reading vendor feedback on here last night). I’m just waiting to hear from the USDA about the importation permit, and if I do get it, I’d rather go that route. His feedback on eBay is better than what’s on here about Norman’s (and most are from English-speaking customers, one from Louisiana, even, which is positive). He has both of my really hard-to-find orchids in stock, so if I can do it this way, I’ll be happy!

And again, congratulations on your promotion to Super Moderator™!

[Roberta]

Did you ever get this going? If not, I see that Seattle Orchids has Phal hieroglyphica

[Fairorchids]

Shipments of plants get through without import permits all the time, BUT, it is illegal - whether listed as plants or household goods.

A friend of mine had 10+ shipments come through fine. And then, one day, there was a knock on the door. On the other side of the door stood 2 USDA agents.

[Roberta]

That's why I revived the thread to pass along the info of a vendor in the US who has the species (I just got the notice). Also, the odds are better for a plant that hasn't had the travails that an imported plant may be subject to even if everything goes right.

I have occasionally bought from Seattle Orchids and was pleased with the plants. Some other folks on the Board buy more from him and most are also satisfied.