Has anyone read "Orchid Fever?"

[Paul Mc]

Are these stories true or made up?! I can see them being somewhat based in fact - but oh my! It makes us all out to be a bunch of orchid-holic, orchid pirates kinda akin to druggies! LOL... Of course, I'm only on chapter 5 now, but I'm wondering just how much is based on fact.

It is an amazing read! I had no clue I was living on the "wild side" of life by growing orchids. Nor did I ever imagine that an 80 year old grandmother who collected paph's could ever expect an armed military raid on her home because some of her paph's might be now illegal!

I'm now wishing I had saved my receipts for all of my orchids to avoid going to jail, lol...!

[ronaldhanko]

I've read it and enjoyed it and so has my son. As far as the "holic" part, I think we all have a touch of that, but the other part requires that you get into another part of the orchid world where there are smugglers, pirates, and all the rest. I know of a couple who smuggle orchids regularly, have dealt with poaching and if you watch the thread here on wild orchids you'll find that poaching is a major problem in Florida.

[Call_Me_Bob]

sounds like a good read. ill see if i can find it.

[RosieC]

Not read it, someone told me recently they had seen a film which I think is a film of this book (I've not seen that either). They thought it seemed a bit over the top, but I can't comment as I've neither read nor seen it.

[quiltergal]

I read it and thoroughly enjoyed it. It does give you a peek at the dark underbelly of orchid collecting. It also throws a big spotlight on CITES and Kew. I believe the stories are all based on actual events. Embellished a bit? Perhaps. Only the people who were there know for sure. It's a bit spookey for someone like me who likes to collect species. It doesn't matter who you got them from if they're illegal they are still subject to confiscation. I've kept all of my receipts anyway.

[WhiteRabbit]

I read it some time ago - don't remember it well tho - I should probably dig it out and re-read it.

Rosie - I think you are thinking of "The Orchid Thief" - tho googling, it seems the original story in the New Yorker was titled "Orchid Fever" - the movie "Adaptation" is a fictional account about the attempt to adapt the story for film - I liked the movie well enough til it got to the crazy part about the Nic Cage character going off into the swamps with the Susan Orlean character - then it was just too weird for me

[cday2inflorida]

There is a bit of narrative license to the book, but come on....we all are nutty when it comes to orchids. I would wager most of us know people in that book. You can Google the names of the people and or their nurseries.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

No, I have not read this book.

However, I have a few thoughts based on what you've said...

If this book is written by someone associated with CITES or the USDA, there will be some biases. Particularly if it makes CITES, the USDA, or Kew look like heroes, and vilifies everyone else.

The fact of the matter is these issues have gotten very complicated over a very long period of time.

There's a lot of the blame game happening, and no real solutions to the problem(s) being offered up and acted upon.

I'd be more concerned about growing the orchids you have and less concerned about being labeled negatively for being an orchid grower. If that's what this is all about.

As an orchid grower, I don't like to think of the "holic" suffix in a negative light, I connect it to a deep love and appreciation for this group of beautiful plants.

Pointing fingers solves nothing.

[Paul Mc]

I was merely curious how true these stories were, and using a bit of irony/humor along with my question. It does not paint CITES or Kew in a good light and more accurately portrays the good guy got into a bad situation due to changing and nonsensical laws. You should read it. I have found it to be a fascinating read thus far!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Understood.