Owning an endangered species?

[jetflair]

So ....after reading the books I sort of want a Phragmipedium kovachii. I was startled to see vendors that would actually sell me one, and US to US to boot.

I'm a little startled though -- coming from the world of wild felines, anything that's an endangered species or CITES I is near impossible to get across state lines legally, and often requires a permit just to own. Is it really legal for me to order something like this over state lines?

The second question I have is ....is it too early, ethically, for an orchid novice to be owning a plant like this? I might kill it. Should I wait until they are far more widely propagated?

I'm not sure I'd actually get one even if legal and ethical ....but I'd have to know those two things first at any rate.

[801229001]

It is perfectly legal but the paperwork needs to be done correctly. the vendors will usually help.

They are very expensive plants to own and are quite difficult imo, to grow for an orchid. I got a near blooming sized one earlier this year for around 350$ US and has been growing okay in my conditions so far.

If you just started growing and havent got to phrags yet I would advise you to not get it untill you have some experience with other easier phrags

[jetflair]

Yeah, I'm very new. I just have phals and one paph (I got yesterday!), and consider myself a rank novice. I want to get some phrags and compact/mini catts.

I'm thinking that if it's even legal and ethical to do, I'll probably wait a year or two.

That way, I'll be more experienced, there may be more of them "in captivity" to bring the prices down a bit, and I will be able to afford a near blooming sized one ....and not kill an endangered plant, which even if not in the wild just sounds horrible.

What are the chances that someone will develop a hybrid that looks almost the same as the original kovachii? I know hybrids are supposed to be easier to grow, but so far all of the hybrids are trending sharply away from the appearance of the original plants. It's the appearance that made kovachii a big deal in the first place - why must the hybrids be aimed at making it look so different?

I do like Fritz Schomburg though!

[silken]

The ones being sold should not be ones collected from the wild. They are being reproduced by seed and sold legally. So as long as you deal with a reputable orchid seller it should be fine. I expect the price for them will come down in time as they become more available. Ecuagenera is selling Fritz Schomburg plants and other Kovachii hybrids. They often come to orchid shows in the U.S. and Canada and I think also Europe. I bought a Fritz Schomburg this spring for $65.00 so that is not too bad a price.

[jetflair]

That does sound like a good price - within the range of a good splurge without being absurd. I like besseae a lot too - that might be one to start with.

I know these aren't wild collected plants, and I would be *very* careful on choice of vendor, it still kinda gives me uneasy wonderings though.

[lotis146]

I understand where you're coming from. When I really got started last year I felt much the same way about acquiring any endangered species, and wouldn't you know it I still feel the same today. In time you'll approach this decision with ease, until then maybe you're best bet is to gain more experience, especially if you've only just got your first Paph.

But have fun learning & discovering the species that you can keep the happiest and keep you happy!

[jetflair]

Thanks lotis! I'm glad someone "gets" what I'm feeling and I find your decision helpful. Who knows what the future holds, but right now I love my noid phals and my new paph and exploring other species.

I have Amesiella monticola and Epidendrum centropetalum on their way from First Rays, those will be my first species orchids! Come on Tuesday

[silken]

A number of orchids we grow are seldom seen in the wild or are protected in the wild. Kovachii is no different really, just one of the most recently discovered ones. The Peruvian Gov't a few years back licensed two Peruvian nurseries to legally propagate them for sale. So they are beginning to be more readily available on the market for legal sale. I expect by now there are other nurseries that can propagate these as well.

[tropterrarium]

CITES only applies for transport across borders. Once it is in the US legally, CITES no longer applies. There may still be regulations for transporting plants across US state borders, but those generally are agriculture/phytosanitation rules. If you are looking at plants that are state or federally protected within the US, then you also have to deal with those (P. kovachii does not fall into that category).
I would strongly advise against trying to import orchids from abroad on your own. Pre-order from overseas vendors when they come to US shows, or work with a nursery that has experience with all the paperwork. Fines for illegal imports can be very stiff. Shipping within the US is generally no problem. For some high visibility plants such as P. kovachii you may want to ask from the vendor to get copies of all the appropriate paperwork to establish legal provenance, just to be on the safe side.

[euplusia]

As for the shape of flowers, there are 'good' and 'poor' ones in human opinion. So I would prefer to buy a flowering plant, if you want to spent a lot of money for a kovachii.
Both kovachii and its hybrids are now on the market from artificial propagation. If you can wait 2-3 more years, the price will fall and quality will raise.
I would advise to gather some experience first by growing a well established mature Phragmipedium, either species or hybrid.
And yes, with Cites and Phytosanitary attest (extra cost and paperwork) you can import a Phragmipadium legally.