I have concerns of these Orchid seeds I purchased.

[Abel-Purete]

Yes, I was planning to flask them myself. And luckily I didnt pay too much for them. I'd rather get seeds since they are cheaper then buying a fully grown plant..I cant affor to pay $25+ with the kind of job that I'm work. I guess I'll just buy the ones at homedepot.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Your understanding of plant importation laws in the US is flawed. A permit is most definitely required to import seeds into the US. Small quantities may be imported without phytosanitary certification under the small seed lot exemption, but a written permit is certainly required.

People in the US told me wrong then. The US and its crazy rules... And seeing the size of orchid seed, I don't know how they define 'small quantity' in their case!

[silken]

Originally Posted by Abel-Purete

Yes, I was planning to flask them myself. And luckily I didnt pay too much for them. I'd rather get seeds since they are cheaper then buying a fully grown plant..I cant affor to pay $25+ with the kind of job that I'm work. I guess I'll just buy the ones at homedepot.

You would be waiting years if they even succeeded to see blooms. I think it best for a beginner orchid grower to just watch for sales and enjoy already grown plants. Not saying you couldn't flask and replate and compot orchid seeds and babies, but it would cost more providing the right growing conditions than buying a few choice plants. And if you join an orchid society, there are bargains to be had at sales tables. You make friends and soon they are giving you plant divisions and so on.

---------- Post added at 11:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:57 AM ----------

Originally Posted by camille1585

People in the US told me wrong then. The US and its crazy rules... And seeing the size of orchid seed, I don't know how they define 'small quantity' in their case!

I would hope there is some sort of permit. What if someone brought in seed that endangers the local habitat because it overtakes or flourishes to well in its new country? We have seen that with purple loosestrife to name one noxious plant that is choking out wetlands.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by camille1585

People in the US told me wrong then. The US and its crazy rules... And seeing the size of orchid seed, I don't know how they define 'small quantity' in their case!

A small lot is legally 50 or less seeds of 50 or less taxa. Due to their size orchid seeds don't qualify, as a practical matter for the exemption. I learned long ago to never trust the word of those who potentially stand to profit from my ignorance of whatever they're talking about.

[Stray59]

Good advice, Subrosa - anymore I just order from a couple of choice sellers that I have a history with and then I know what I am getting.

[Ordphien]

4 o'clock seeds. I guarantee it.

[Joseia]

Originally Posted by Abel-Purete

Yes, I was planning to flask them myself. And luckily I didnt pay too much for them. I'd rather get seeds since they are cheaper then buying a fully grown plant..I cant affor to pay $25+ with the kind of job that I'm work. I guess I'll just buy the ones at homedepot.

If you have a Lowe's nearby, you can buy what people call orchid bag babies for $7 for small plants and $15 for more mature plants. I bought a lot of those when starting out. Also, I kept an eye out for reduced price orchids in the grocery and hardware stores, usually plants that remained unsold and lost their blooms. I also liver near a couple of local orchid vendors and they both usually have a summer clearance sale where they sell unsold, formerly bloomed plants at really low prices.

[Abel-Purete]

Lucky. There aren't many here in south Jersey. I try to go to Lowes and homedepot. Thats how I got my other orchids. I got a mini phal. for 2$. I would love to get a dendrobium and a Monnierara Millennium Magic 'Witchcraft'. But they are so expensive online.

And I don't know many good orchid society. I live in a small town; so I try to get what I can from homedepot. I know they throw out dying orchids. Luckily for me; I know how to revive them. I have 3 beautiful orchids; healthy as can be. Thanks for all the advise.

And Subrosa; at this point who cares. Point is; I have the seeds; and I will just have to wait to see what they turn out to be. I enjoy every kind of plant. I'd rather not see any arguments yet alone rude behaviors. I came here to learn about plants. Not be put down or lectured about the "Law". Thank you anyways.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Abel-Purete

Lucky. There aren't many here in south Jersey. I try to go to Lowes and homedepot. Thats how I got my other orchids. I got a mini phal. for 2$. I would love to get a dendrobium and a Monnierara Millennium Magic 'Witchcraft'. But they are so expensive online.

And I don't know many good orchid society. I live in a small town; so I try to get what I can from homedepot. I know they throw out dying orchids. Luckily for me; I know how to revive them. I have 3 beautiful orchids; healthy as can be. Thanks for all the advise.

And Subrosa; at this point who cares. Point is; I have the seeds; and I will just have to wait to see what they turn out to be. I enjoy every kind of plant. I'd rather not see any arguments yet alone rude behaviors. I came here to learn about plants. Not be put down or lectured about the "Law". Thank you anyways.

At this point anyone interested in not making the same illegal mistake you made (including you yourself if you are so inclined) should be interested in the information I posted. You're welcome.

[Leafmite]

Subrosa, I doubt the poster did this on purpose. My kids order stuff all the time on Amazon (not plants) and, only after the package arrives do they often realize it came from overseas. It is actually an easy mistake these days.
I think that Ebay and these other big sites have a responsibility to prevent these sorts of mistakes from happening. They could easily have rules that prevent overseas vendors from sending plants to the US illegally. I am sure they find ways to prevent other illegal activity on their site.
If the US is truly going to prevent disease/pests/invasive species, they need to have some way to closely inspect lumber, cut flowers, fruit, plants, and every other item that is made of plant material. Many of the diseases plaguing crops/trees have come here on legal imports. I think about this quite a bit as I have a Chestnut battling the American Chestnut blight, I pull quite a few invasive species out of my yard and have seen the Ash borer. Living in an Agricultural area, I also worry about how lax laws are concerning plant viruses. Terrible! I do, then, understand your concern and the reason you are trying to make this point.
One way to 'import' orchids without all the worry is to either pre-order from a vendor who is coming to a US show and have them mail you the orchids after they have arrived in the US or, if you know a vendor, you can make arrangements for them to order your orchids when they are making their order. They have all the paperwork and understand the entire process.