Ophrys tenthredinifera

[SteveC]

I guess I did not make myself clear, the minus 17c was outside not in the greenhouse! However at that time I was using paraffin heaters which simply could not cope with the cold and so the temperature inside the greenhouse dropped to -4C.

I have over a hundred European terrestrials and various Australians, and there was only one which showed obvious damage, the leaves on Gennaria diphylla were pulped, though thankfully the next year's tubers were already formed so no real harm done.

I am not saying that you should deliberately allow these plants to get this cold, but that they are tougher than many think and can cope with short periods of cold.

[naoki]

Thank you very much for the link coldGrower (and recommendation by Steve)! Any recommendation for the flasking media? I think I have P668 and BM-2. According to PhytoTech document, they seem to recommend M551: Malmgren Mod. Terres. Orchid Medium for Ophrys.

[Subrosa]

I find it amazing how many people are willing to post public admissions of their committing a crime. To my knowledge these EBay sellers do not give phytosanitaries with their plants, and do not go through the permit process necessary to legally bring even small lots of seed into the US. The desire to brag about one's crime is a common method of getting caught. I am first and foremost a fish person, and there was USFWS agent, Ed Newcomer who used to frequent fish forums and Aquabid trying to catch people doing exactly the same thing. I once saw an AB auction offering Fountain Darters, a federally endangered species of high desirability. I sent a pm informing the "seller" of the foolishness of his auction, and we started a conversation. When I mentioned that I lived in an area where Northern Snakeheads well established, the "seller" offered to trade some of the Darters privately for some captured Snakeheads. I may not be the brightest bulb on the string, but that dim I ain't! Just think a bit before you post people!

[naoki]

Ok I edited. Are you aware of this, though?
USDA APHIS | Plant Health

The last time I checked, seeds were exempt from cites for App. 2 plants. But it sounds like you know better about this.

[Coldgrower]

Subrosa, Trading seeds internationally is not illegal. Plants, plant parts and animals, yes. Perhaps you should read the following:

USDA APHIS | Plant Health

There is a gigantic difference between seeds and other things like live plants and animals.

---------- Post added at 10:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 AM ----------

Originally Posted by naoki

Thank you very much for the link coldGrower (and recommendation by Steve)! Any recommendation for the flasking media? I think I have P668 and BM-2. According to PhytoTech document, they seem to recommend M551: Malmgren Mod. Terres. Orchid Medium for Ophrys.

Malmgrens is the preferred medium for most EU terrestrials. You probably want to add coconut water as a germination enhancer. Be careful that you do not oversow the seed, or that if you do you replate to spread out the seed. Ophrys have a bad tendency to die very quickly if crowded!

[naoki]

Originally Posted by Coldgrower

Malmgrens is the preferred medium for most EU terrestrials. You probably want to add coconut water as a germination enhancer. Be careful that you do not oversow the seed, or that if you do you replate to spread out the seed. Ophrys have a bad tendency to die very quickly if crowded!

Thanks! I'll get Malmgrens!

[SteveC]

And

[Subrosa]

Look into the small seed lot exemption. No phyto is required, but an import permit definitely is. Those who still disagree would find their time better spent talking to APHIS than arguing the point here.

---------- Post added at 11:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:00 AM ----------

CITES paperwork is only required when importing CITES listed species.

[Subrosa]

A link to the pertinent information: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal...smalllots_seed

[Subrosa]

Uh, did anyone else notice that all of the links posted on this subject lead to the same place? And did everyone who clicked on them read paragraph #1?