Orchids, CITES and Traveling.

[magicsomething]

I was walking by a flower shop and they had some plants separated in a box under a table...
I know they was orchids and they really need water... So I ask them... "Hey, why are this beautiful plants here?"

The woman in the desk just explain me that someone ask for them, but haven't come to pick them up, the person who order them, say will come 3 weeks ago.

So she say she'll be glad to sell them to me if I wanted as they was very expensive and they was shivering, that's why she take them away from the show cabinet.

The thing is I ask for the price and was 5,000 pesos "The Black Orchid" and 3,500 pesos the others... Each... About 285 dollars for "The Black Orchid"
There's black orchids?
And 200 dollars for the others.
It was a 6" pot with a proportionally sized plant, I'm broke, yet I want them.
I could maybe save them lol
Credit card advantages I guess...

But they say they can't give me any CITES or phytosanitary paperwork, she acctually had no idea what that things was, which is understandable, they usually just sell flower for decor and so.

If I buy them and someday... Someday I move to somewhere amazing, as I have been working hard to move but just haven't find a lawyer that doesn't suggest me to do something absurd.... But that is other subject. And I want to take my orchids with me... How would I do that?

They do give a receipt, but is just a thin paper that says 1 Flower 3,500.00... I ask her if the recipe could say 1 Orchid as they are orchids, but she just say that the software that does the inventory and stock, has them already labeled as 6" Seasonal Flower.

One orchid had palm like leaves, they say it was a "The Black Orchid" the other two was "Purple something", to me it seem to be a Laelia and the other was a "Tiger something" the leaves was long and stand upright.

Sorry to ask so many questions >///<
But they don't usually sell orchids, so this was a special something that someone ask for them, but didn't pick them up, could we say that my credit card will save them?

Thanks everyone.

[pipsxlch]

The shop is in your country? So CITES/phyto paperwork shouldn't be much of an issue for you; they're already imported if they came from elsewhere.

There are 'black' orchids; they either have black markings or (more commonly) are such a dark red/purple that they appear almost black. Check out Monn. Millennium Magic 'Witchcraft' and Fdk. After Dark 'Black Pearl'; they're members of the Catasetinae family and it sounds as if the black orchid may be one of them or a relative (when in leaf, their foliage somewhat resembles a palm's).

The prices seem excessive to me- both for the black orchid and the others- it's only 3?- especially without proper I.D. As examples, I've seen the Monn. I mentioned sold here in the US for $25; the Fdk. has worked down to $40. If money is tight for you, I'd suggest passing on them.

If you end up leaving your country (is that also something you'd asked, about keeping your plants if you leave?), contact your country's Dept. of Agriculture and that of your new country to find out what paperwork and tests would be required to export/import your orchids. A nearby university or commercial nursery may be able to help you get what you need. Some countries are very restrictive though!

[Optimist]

I would not spend a lot of money on plants that are so awful that someone took them out of the display case. I would ask for half off if you are allowed to barter, or just ask what she paid and pay a little over that. Never pay full price for a rescue plant. (That is my little rule, but you do not have to use it if you do not want. )

[estación seca]

For US $285.00 I would expect an extremely rare plant, an extremely unobtainable clone or an extremely huge plant. Not something in bad shape.

If you move from one country to another, it is highly unlikely you will be able to bring your orchids due to CITES regulations, unless you have an impeccable paperwork trail for every plant from every vendor and they were legal at every step of the way.

[SFLguy]

It's not a Dracula species is it?

[Orchid Whisperer]

From the descriptions it sounds like they are not in good shape, you and the seller are not quite sure exactly what is being sold, therefore if you get them, you are not entirely sure how to care for them. Photos posted here would help with ID by the way.

I'm no expert on import-export law, but if you are going to move to another country your plants will likely need at least a phytosanitary certificate. I'm not sure how CITES would apply if they are hybrid orchids.

The prices suggested by the seller seem outlandishly high. If they are notvin good shape but you think they can recover with your care, offer $100 or less for everything, take it or leave it, if the seller refuses, leave contact information I'm case she changes her mind, and walk away. My guess is that she will cut her losses and accept the offer.

[Cym Ladye]

Walk away from these plants and this vendor as fast as you can!

[magicsomething]

Hello! I know they might not be in the best conditions, but I was really tempted, I'm a plant hero! Is like my duty to save plants lol (I just made it up)

Well... I guess I told them I will care for them and leave them my phone number.

Now on the questions...
I really want to move and I hope to take my orchids with me, mostly because they are like my pets

It doesn't look like the Dracula orchids I find online.

Thanks for the reply everyone!