Orchid Imports

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by CambriaWhat

Thanks man! I haven't ever imported but nice to know that a 50% survival rate is normal!!

Absolutely incorrect!

In the distant past (1968-1977), when I worked for my dad, we would do imports of wild collected plants (Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum & Vandaceous) from Thailand & India via air freight, typically with 2+ week transit time: Survival rate would be in 98-99% range.

Currently I rent a greenhouse from a Taiwanese Phalaenopsis producer. They get shipments of blooming size Phals in every 2-3 weeks (in refrigerated ocean containers). After 30+ days transit time in closed boxes, the survival rate is 99-100%.

There is no justification for loss of Cattleyas with modern shipping methods. For Catasetums you have to time the shipment, so they ship while dormant.