TOM Orchid Nursery

[Clawhammer]

Hello!

Anyone have experience with TOM Orchid Nursery? They have an incredible selection and great prices.

They seem to be based in Thailand and is requesting payment through the app Wise. Seems legit, but different than most websites. I wanted to get feedback from you all before I downloaded Wise and made payment.

Thanks!

---------- Post added at 08:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:55 AM ----------

Paphiopedilum micranthum $10.00
Paphiopedilum delenatii $10.00
Dendrobium senile $7.00
Dendrobium chittimae $15.00
Dendrobium brymerianum $10.00
Phalaenopsis sumatrana $12.00
Phalaenopsis speciosa $10.00
Rhynchostylis retusa (foxtail orchid) $8.00
Dendrobium sutepense $9.00
Dendrobium cariniferum $8.00
Chiloschista lunifera (fragrant) $10.00
Vanda brunnea $15.00

[Leafmite]

As they are located in Thailand, do they take care of all the certificates and other paperwork for you that allow the plants to legally enter the US or do they do shows here and then ship them out?

I would be careful. Sometimes shipping from Asia can have many delays and it can take a month or so for the merchandise to arrive.

The best way to get plants from overseas is to see if the vendor comes to orchid shows here and has an order date for the show. You can then order and when they arrive in the US, they ship out all the plants (or tell you to come and fetch them!). Members of my Orchid Society have done this with South-American and overseas vendors.

[estación seca]

Learn how to import orchids and other plants legally before doing it. Permits and a phytosanitary certificate are required.

If you order plants from outside the country and don't have the proper permits and phytosanitary certificate, they will be confiscated and burned by customs agents if discovered. The potential fine is $10,000 per plant.

Because those are species orchids they are covered by the CITES treaty. If you don't have proper CITES permits you are liable for an additional fine of up to $50,000 per plant.

Here is where you can read about doing it legally. It's a government Web site so it's extremely difficult to figure out the process:
USDA APHIS | APHIS Permits (ePermits and eFile)

[Clawhammer]

CITES and Phytosanitary certificate (PC)
– Tom Orchid Nursery

They offer cites and phytosanitary for $20. Legit?

[estación seca]

Maybe. You still need a US import permit or there may still be a permitless process for 12 or fewer plants. Be sure you're doing it correctly.

[piorio]

Redacted by Moderator. Violates policy for negative vendor comments. http://www.orchidboard.com/community...uncements.html

[JenRiot321]

I just came across this nursery too. I’m similarly curious if it’s legit. The fact they they mention requiring the addition of phyto a for international shipment gives it an air of legitimacy. The shipping also seems reasonable- I did a test cart and it was about $60 for $180 worth of plants.

The prices are low enough that I might take the chance and do a smallish order. They have a couple plants I’ve been wanting and if there’s the option to pay through a service that offers easy refunds in the case of a scam, it might be worth it.

I’ve ordered from both Brazil and Taiwan and have been pleased with the speed at which things get to me, but I’ve heard less than good tales of how long shipments can take from Thailand so maybe some hardier plants might be the best bet for a first attempt if I go for it.

Anyone else tried to order from this company or know anything about their legitimacy?

[Clawhammer]

I did not follow through with my order. They mentioned nothing about phyto or CITES until I asked so I decided not to risk it.

Let us know how it goes if you decide to move forward with an order!

[Waterdemon]

Redacted by Moderator: Violates policy for posting negative vendor comments
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...uncements.html

[jeanpl]

After paying for my order, no more response on their part after 16 days.