Paph. gigantifolium (no no no In The USA)
 

Ive been reading how AOS wont judge any of these or hybrids of gigantifolium, that dont have papers from 'Piping Rock orchids'. Who had the only legal crop of plants. Others who grew them from selfing or seeds have had them confiscated. They are mostly illegal in the USA unless you can provide the papers as to where the plants/seeds came from.

Now comes Marlowes orchids with these,
Paphiopedilum gigantifolium 'Hsinying' SM/TOGA' x 'Crown' which is one of the parents of 'Ching Hua Dancer'. Chi Hua Dancer (gigantifolium x sanderianum). And those of you who have chosen a Chi Hua may actually have an illegal plant by AOS standards. And you have one bitch of a plant to grow also. Most of you I have seen with the Chi Hua Dancer have killed em anyway. That will teach ya hey :biggrin:

Now for the question if a plant from Canada fits all the criteria for documentation needed for the US, I dont see any troubles with the plants. If they arent well documented you may have a problem trying to show or sell the plant.

I read that one grower of the gigantifolium had all his plants and seeds confiscated by the Feds when it came down that someone else other than Piping Rock had been selling them.

hmmmmm.....so beware if you are in the USA and trying to buy these plants. They have paperwork that is needed for the plants and hybrids to be legal in the US and for the AOS.

so feel free to add anything. I dont have no flowers and mostly dead crap in my greenhouse So Im not having any fun either :waving

you can read details of this here
https://www.aos.org/default.aspx?id=620

Don't quote me, but I'm fairly sure I read that the AOS has recently adopted a policy that they no longer will require documentation about a plant's legal status in order for the plant to be judged and awarded. I think it's kind of a don't ask, don't tell situation.

I seem to recall lots of conversation regarding the fact that it will now be possible to get hangianum and it's hybrids awarded, as well as other species.

Either way, it's probably best to stick with fully legal and documented species and hybrids. Granted, I also think at this point, certain hybrids like Shun Fa Golden have been somewhat available (albeit unlikely to be entirely legal). Plus, other things like anitum and it's hybrids are simply labelled as adductum v. anitum to avoid legal issues.

Ive tried to find any updates on the AOS and there has not been one posted as of this date.
Even more curious I am as to how a single entitity or individual has sole rights to the plant legal or illegal.
Not quite a 'ppaf' situation where they owned a plant patent. But it seems to be that propagation of these by seed or trade without express written consent by Piping Rock Orchids will leave you subject of being a criminal no less in the eyes of the USDA.
I note that Marlowe's points out there plants are legally obtained. I'm not so sure at this point legally obtained would apply to us in the USA. I do understand that Canada does require CITES permits for any flora/fauna listed for import or export. I am wondering now if the CITES permits for these list where plant ZERO came from. ??? It is from what I can cull from myth and rumour these plants are illegal in the USA except from Piping Rock Orchids. If Marlowes paphs came from Piping Rock stock then they would be safe both sides of the border IMO but Im still scared to order one :biggrin:

Curious indeed for inquiring minds.

I'm just guessing here, but I think the reason a single nursery may have a specific plant is that they have been designated by the USFWS as being an authorized rescue site. Plants that are obtained illegally and confiscated are not destroyed, but are sent to those designated nurseries for propagation.

Glen was one of the few folks in the US that had Phrag. kovachii, too.