bringing back chids from PR?

[bcub30]

Is it possable to bring back some orchids from Puerto Rico? I will be leaving this friday and was very curious. Since it is a US common wealth, is it like buying them in Florida and bringing them back on the plane?

thanks, Sott

[gmdiaz]

Of course it's POSSIBLE. . .but will you get arrested? Will your orchids get confiscated? Those are the questions! LOL

OK, I'll let someone that actually knows the answer to your question, answer you.

[quiltergal]

I'd bet you could bring them in if they were in flask. A friend of my son brought him a tiny catt seedling in a little individual baby flask from Costa Rica with no problems.

[gerneveyn]

Here's a link to info on the AOS site: http://www.aos.org/aos/orchids/docum...eimporting.pdf
Good luck.

[Ray]

I believe that coming from PR, it's not "importing", but the simple thing to do is call the port-of-entry you'll be coming into on the reference Sarah gave, and ask what the requirements are.

[Ross]

It's not "importing" to bring orchids back from Hawaii either, yet they have to be in sealed boxes with Ag stamps on them to get through inspection station.

[quiltergal]

Originally Posted by rsfrid

It's not "importing" to bring orchids back from Hawaii either, yet they have to be in sealed boxes with Ag stamps on them to get through inspection station.

That's absolutely true. I brought some back from the Big Island in my carry on bag, and I had to have them sealed up in an ag bag with the official Ag stamp on them.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

That's absolutely true. I brought some back from the Big Island in my carry on bag, and I had to have them sealed up in an ag bag with the official Ag stamp on them.

What did you buy? Where on Big Island, Hilo area?

[quiltergal]

I bought 2 from Carmela Orchids (just north of Hilo) and had them shipped. C. Summer Spot 'Carmela', and Brassia Eternal Wind 'Summer's Dream'. The ones I carried on came from Akatsuka Orchids in Vocano (south of Hilo). They were C. Chocolate Drop 'Volcano Queen', and Hwra. Lava Burst 'Puanani'. Akatsuka wanted $22+ for shipping one small plant vs Carmela who shipped one large & one small for $15 FedEx. I decided I'd try and carry them on and save myself the cost of one orchid.

[Ross]

I met one of the folks that works for Carmelas. She was a really nice lady and offered me a personal tour. Unfortunatly that day was a mini extravaganza that ended up at Kilauea Lodge for the night. I ended up buying from Bergstrom Orchids and that was a mistake.