Seeds and CITES

[magicsomething]

Hey everyone! Sorry to bother, but I'm back with some hardcore questions...

How are seeds covered and what when plants grow?
Is like, let's say one adquires seeds and in a couple of years one takes them out of the flask, there's not really a way to show they was flasked sometime.
Are there some sort of permits to be an orchid owner?
I know for sure Costco didn't give me a CITES permit lol
Thanks for reading!

I'm just worried that suddenly... Keeping orchids is more complicated than I knew.

[AnonYMouse]

My Costco only has hybrids so CITES does not apply.

I can transport/trade/sell/gift species domestically without paperwork as long as they were acquired legally. I don't wild-collect, laws are too complicated and I'm lazy.

Imported species are purchased from international vendors once they bring the plants into the US. So, that is viewed as domestic trade.

So, for the hobbyist, CITES is not a big concern.

[magicsomething]

Thank you for your reply!
I understand that, but I don't know, is scary!

[katrina]

No one is going to come to your house and ask for proof of where you got your orchids. Just don't buy illegally obtained/collected orchids (it's unethical, and, well, illegal) and don't try to carry your collection into another country w/out doing research as to what paperwork you'd need to have in place to transport the orchids...and you'll be fine.

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by magicsomething

Thank you for your reply!
I understand that, but I don't know, is scary!

I realize in other places, government agencies and criminal organizations do break down doors and drag you off. I very much doubt they do over orchids, though.

Do you have in your possession an orchid so rare that the CITES police is going to come after you? No? Then don't worry.

If you are still scared, go see a mental health professional.

[estación seca]

I think magicsomething is wondering about bringing personal orchids from Mexico into the US. That is a horse of a different color.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

If you are still scared, go see a mental health professional.

As to bringing them from Mexico to the US...that will require research and planning. And, it's not cheap to get all the required certs and permits. Personally, unless the plant is rare or holds sentimental value, it's best to just start over once settled into the new country.

My husband and I have been throwing around the idea of retiring to Costa Rica (just talk right now but it is on the table so who knows) and the reality is...if we do that then I will eliminate all but the most special of orchids and then I will rebuild my collection once there. The cost and headache of moving a bunch of orchids into another country...it's not worth it unless they are rare and impossible to replace.

[magicsomething]

Hahaha... Very funny.

I don't have illegal species, nor want to and it's purely sentimental value, I should maybe see psychotherapist for that too?

Anyway, I decided to leave my orchids in the local botanical garden, no one really seems to know a thing, but the plants look happy.