Wow!! Much here to ruminate on... Thanks for posting and if i don't reply
immediately tis because I'm still thinking.

K Barrett

"Clanorchid" wrote in message
...
Hi Group,

Just another observation, the NY Times article indicates change is being
considered. Actually, the change is effective and in place, since June 6,
2004.


I can't see where bringing in already potted plants makes economic sense.
They are so huge and bulky. You get so many more of them in a flask in a
much smaller space, no? Does it really cost so much more to finish them
here?

I wouldn't mind having plants imported bare root and potted up here.

That was the method. All imported orchid plants were brought in bare root,
repotted in approved media, and grown in US of A for four months prior to
sale,
then inspected. (Except for importations in coconut chips or coir, and
attached
to tree fern) It is a time and money factor.

Import an in bloom plant and you save labor (unpotting and repotting),
greenhouse space (in front door, out the back door to the contract
stores). The
four month in US of A growing period and inspection also disappears, as
well as
losses due to cultural problems.

A flask, yes has many plants, but growing time is required. IMHO, the plus
is
the plants, from the flasks, may adapt better to US of A conditions, than
a
blooming plant.

This not new Q37, as the rules are commonly known, has been under attack
for
many years. Currently there are a number genera of plants, for which Q37
has
been suspended. Quick to mind is Begonias, African Violets, Peperomia,
some
ferns. There are others, but I forget them now. The authority for some of
these
exemptions dates back to 1990, or earlier. Heck the exemption petition
from
Taiwan was in 1997.

The USDA documents regarding Q37 being suspended are interesting. Dating
back
to 1998, USDA indicates there are 41 Phal growers in CA, 41 Phal growers
in FL,
and 101 Phal growers in the other 48 states, and economic impact on these
growers is unknown, but expected to substantial. However, they do note
that
Hawaii is the leading importer of bare root Phals, for potted plant sales.

For some reason the Phal Q37 pages on USDA and APHIS websites have gone
down
today. Orchidists must be getting interested.

Cheers,

Jerry and Karen

Camp Lot A Noise Tropicals (C. L. A. N.) http://www.clanorchids.com
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