Some re-beginner questions

[scubydoo]

Hi! Since I'm getting back into being obsessed with orchids again, after a 20 year hiatus, I have some questions.

I've kept a bit of an eye on the orchid world over the years and noticed that not only have there been new additions to the orchid family, but some orchids have been renamed and moved to new families etc. Is there any easy cross reference source that links old names to new ones? My brains haven't caught up to any changes yet.

And this question is really as a newbie. I never ordered orchids from international growers before. I came within seconds of buying a Thrixspermum I wanted badly on ebay, until I read the shipping section that said I was responsible for getting the shipment through customs at the international airport. Not know how this all works, I figured with my luck it would ship in to California somewhere, and I live in Vermont. I figured I better find out how that aspect of international ordering usually works.

And third- anyone have any suggestions on where to look for more Thrixspermum? I ADORE these orchids, searched diligently and was able to get 2 Thrix. formosanum from ebay, doing nicely. and I want MORE MORE MORE!!!
Thanks!
Laure

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

1.) Importing plants through international sellers on EBay is problematic.

The sellers will often say that they are not responsible for any kind of losses or confiscation because there are actual laws, rules, and regulations that come with legally importing plants in from a foreign country. Without making it overly complicated, a hobbyist from the US who would like to import plants from a foreign country will:

A.) Need a hobbyist plant import license that you can acquire from your local USDA-APHIS branch.

B.) Request that the seller provide a set of paperwork to get them declared, inspected, and ready for shipment. Those 2 pieces of documentation are:

i.) CITES certificate
ii.) phytosanitary certificate

Usually, these papers are not free. Most of the times, the seller charges you for these. However, sometimes deals can be made so that you will not have to pay for them, depending on the seller and the country the plants are coming from - (these discounts are usually cost related).

Different countries will have different prices for the CITES and phytosanitary paperwork. As a fyi, currently, the most expensive country to import plants from is Australia.

C.) Have to arrange to send the seller a shipping label that the USDA provides for you. Without it, the USDA may reserve the right to inspect the package, confiscate, destroy the contents or return the package to the sender even if you have all the other pieces of paperwork in order. It is also up to the discretion of the inspection officer if prior arrangements were made to let it slide one or two times if the package does not have this shipping label, should there be complications during the transaction.

2.) US Customs have been cracking down on international sellers a lot. Should you be caught importing plants internationally without proper documentation, the plants could be confiscated or destroyed. If they decide to be mean, they can also possibly slap you with a hefty fine.

Plus, if they do confiscate and/or destroy the plant inside the package, as what I consider a cruel joke, they will send the empty package on their merry way to you with a note that says the plant(s) were confiscated and/or destroyed. To make further sure you know they've gone through your stuff, they will seal the package back up with the USDA-APHIS logo on it.

Just so you understand the scope of it...

I have currently been working as a security officer for an import/export company. On the weekdays, the place is filled with US Customs agents to inspect foreign freight.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Another alternative is to purchase plants from international sellers who attend shows in the US. It's easier, it's cheaper, and you get what you want without having to deal with the USDA.

I know of at least a couple international sellers who sell Thrixspermum spp.

Maybe not Thrixspermum formosanum per se, but they are Thrixspermum spp.

They are nice little orchids. It's a shame they are not very popular here in the US.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

As far as a resource for newly renamed orchids, I have no idea. They may exist, but I don't know of any.

Which names were you interesting in looking for, particularly?

[Discus]

scubydoo - you may find my blog post on orchid names useful; it has several links to handy resources. Please see Orchids on a Balcony: Names, Names, Names!

Hope this helps!

[scubydoo]

I thought I had posted responses to the helpful advice given me, but apparently it didn't work.
Thank you Discus, I checked out your link and it looks like it will be helpful.
And thank you Philip- you appear to truly be King of Orchid Growing. I will keep your information on overseas purchasing well in mind. I think it's not entirely out of the question, but not something to jump into on the spur of the moment, definitely needs forethought and preparation if I ever want to jump in those waters. I wish I could go to orchid shows, but they are few and far between in Vermont.... like not much at all. The closest Orchid club is either 3 hours or so away insouthern Vt/New Hampshire (a joint club) or.... in Montreal, which brings in the issue of crossing borders with plants.... What's a person to do who lives in a virtual orchid desert? Thank goodness for online shopping!