sending an orchid to a friend in Ontario, Canada

[POLKA]

Howdy Everyone

A friend would like one of my orchids. She lives in Canada. I live in East Texas.

What kind of problems might I encounter? What kind of hoops will I have to jump thru? It is an old hybrid cattleya cross, not some exotic species.

Have any of you had any experience doing this?
Thanks
Rex
aka Polka

[Ray]

Tell your friend to locate someone in the US and ship it there. Shipping a plant across international borders can be costly and full of hassles due the the paperwork.

[POLKA]

That's what I was afraid of
Thanks a million, Ray
Take care
Rex aka Polka

[Ray]

There is a "cottage industry" in many places in the US near the Canadian border set up precisely to allow Canadians a way to get US-sourced stuff without having to deal with the costs and delays associated with clearing customs.

Quite frankly, I'm not too impressed with either country's "border protection". A few years ago, I spoke at SOOS, then at the Genesee OS back in the US. I had my truck loaded to the gills with PrimeAgra, pots, fertilizer, Physan, etc., but when I got to the Canadian border, I was asked by Canadian Customs my country of residence, and if I had cigarettes or liquor. A "US" and "no" later, I was on my way.

Two days later, coming back across the border, the US guy asked the country of residence and "what are you bringing back that you didn't take?" The answer to that was "nothing", and away I went.

I have seen more delays at toll plazas.

Gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling about security, no?