Reading the posts by Via (Hillevi P) from Sweden, I thought that it would be
really interesting if residents of different countries (or different states)
would like to share with us a brief review of orchid cultivation and/or wild
orchids in the countries where you live in. I realize that we are very
fortunate here in the US: we have many vendors of orchids who we can visit
or order from without needing to import from abroad, the availability and
affordability of orchids has been improving fast (one can buy orchids at
local supermarkets, at least in the many major urban areas), orchid growing
is quickly becoming a very popular hobby.

I am always very interested to see glimpses of other cultures here. AusDigi
has been posting photos of wild orchids growing in Australia on ABPO. We
have a whole bunch of rgo'ers who come from all over the world, plus I am
sure that many of the lurkers are from interesting places as well. Even
within the US, the experience of growing orchids in Wisconsin is very
different from growing in Florida.

We have been encountering some of these cultural differences over time. I
recall one poster assuming that a question referred to orchids grown in a
greenhouse because where he came from people do not grow on windowsills (I
believe it was in Australia, I will need to check archives again). I am
always a bit jealous of those of you who can grow orchids outdoors.

I think it would be interesting if you shared more with us what it is like
in your nook of the world.

Joanna

Especially if someone from Mexico is out there lurking. Mr. Melendez's
posts to the OGD on orchid import/export from Mexico have me wondering what
the goerrnmental regulations are there. Sounds like nothing comes in,
nothing goes out of Mexico.

K Barrett

"J Fortuna" wrote in message
...
Reading the posts by Via (Hillevi P) from Sweden, I thought that it would
be
really interesting if residents of different countries (or different
states)
would like to share with us a brief review of orchid cultivation and/or
wild
orchids in the countries where you live in. I realize that we are very
fortunate here in the US: we have many vendors of orchids who we can visit
or order from without needing to import from abroad, the availability and
affordability of orchids has been improving fast (one can buy orchids at
local supermarkets, at least in the many major urban areas), orchid
growing
is quickly becoming a very popular hobby.

I am always very interested to see glimpses of other cultures here.
AusDigi
has been posting photos of wild orchids growing in Australia on ABPO. We
have a whole bunch of rgo'ers who come from all over the world, plus I am
sure that many of the lurkers are from interesting places as well. Even
within the US, the experience of growing orchids in Wisconsin is very
different from growing in Florida.

We have been encountering some of these cultural differences over time. I
recall one poster assuming that a question referred to orchids grown in a
greenhouse because where he came from people do not grow on windowsills (I
believe it was in Australia, I will need to check archives again). I am
always a bit jealous of those of you who can grow orchids outdoors.

I think it would be interesting if you shared more with us what it is like
in your nook of the world.

Joanna

Reading the posts by Via (Hillevi P) from Sweden, I thought that it would
be
really interesting if residents of different countries (or different
states)
would like to share with us a brief review of orchid cultivation and/or
wild
orchids in the countries where you live in.


Well, since I am fairly new here, and have kept myself lurking I might as
well chime in. My name is Angel (A as in bat, e as in bed, well in spanish
anyway). I was born, raised and proud to be in Puerto Rico. I'm 29, male and
got into the hobby because of my mother. She's been collecting for some time
now and has quite a bit of plants. Unfortunately, most don't have their tag
and I have no way to know which is which. I have been a bit more
meticulous(sp?). The plants that I have bought, I make sure they have their
tag or I don't buy it.

Now, being a tropical islan with a climate much like Hawaii, a lot of orchid
growing possiblities abound here. I myself have quite a variety. 4 phals, 4
vandas, 5 catts, 2 brasso, 1 miltassia, 1phaius, 8 dendobriums, 2
epidendrum, and 2 tolumias, both of them endemic of Puerto Rico. Oh, and 3
oncidiums. Not counting the plants I have from divisions of my own. And to
tell you the truth, I don't see any stoping untill I have no place to put
them. LOL

Any other questions let me now.

Angel

Angel,
Welcome!

A few questions for you about orchids in Puerto Rico: (I am just curious,
and trying to think of questions that might give us a better sense of Puerto
Rico's orchid growing. Feel free to answer any of them you like, no need to
answer all, since I am just brainstorming questions here)

Given that Puerto Rico is a self-governing Commonwealth of the United
States, can you just order orchids from any vendors in the US without it
being considered "importing" or are there any restrictions or paperwork?

Do you happen to know how many vendors or commercial growers of orchids
there are in Puerto Rico -- or do you have a URL that you would recommend
for an orchid grower in Puerto Rico? How available are orchids in local
retail? Is orchid growing/collecting a fairly common hobby among people you
know there? Do you have a local/regional orchid society?

Since Puerto Rico is a tropical island, do you grow the orchids outdoors?
Also, are there any wild orchids that are native to Puerto Rico? If so, are
they protected species? are there restrictions on picking them or exporting
them?

Is there anything about the weather or any other conditions in Puerto Rico
that you would change if you could to make your orchid growing experience
there even better, or is it pretty much ideal?

Ok, can't think of other questions at this time (close to 1 am here, so I
really ought to call it a day)

Look forward to any answers to these questions or any other info you can
think of that might interest those of us who have never been to Puerto Rico
and thus do not know what orchid growing there is like.

Best,
Joanna


"Fam. Castrodad-Borrero" wrote in message
.. .
Well, since I am fairly new here, and have kept myself lurking I might as
well chime in. My name is Angel (A as in bat, e as in bed, well in spanish
anyway). I was born, raised and proud to be in Puerto Rico. I'm 29, male
and
got into the hobby because of my mother. She's been collecting for some
time
now and has quite a bit of plants. Unfortunately, most don't have their
tag
and I have no way to know which is which. I have been a bit more
meticulous(sp?). The plants that I have bought, I make sure they have
their
tag or I don't buy it.

Now, being a tropical islan with a climate much like Hawaii, a lot of
orchid
growing possiblities abound here. I myself have quite a variety. 4 phals,
4
vandas, 5 catts, 2 brasso, 1 miltassia, 1phaius, 8 dendobriums, 2
epidendrum, and 2 tolumias, both of them endemic of Puerto Rico. Oh, and 3
oncidiums. Not counting the plants I have from divisions of my own. And to
tell you the truth, I don't see any stoping untill I have no place to put
them. LOL

Any other questions let me now.

Angel

Angel,
Welcome!

A few questions for you about orchids in Puerto Rico: (I am just curious,
and trying to think of questions that might give us a better sense of Puerto
Rico's orchid growing. Feel free to answer any of them you like, no need to
answer all, since I am just brainstorming questions here)

Given that Puerto Rico is a self-governing Commonwealth of the United
States, can you just order orchids from any vendors in the US without it
being considered "importing" or are there any restrictions or paperwork?

Do you happen to know how many vendors or commercial growers of orchids
there are in Puerto Rico -- or do you have a URL that you would recommend
for an orchid grower in Puerto Rico? How available are orchids in local
retail? Is orchid growing/collecting a fairly common hobby among people you
know there? Do you have a local/regional orchid society?

Since Puerto Rico is a tropical island, do you grow the orchids outdoors?
Also, are there any wild orchids that are native to Puerto Rico? If so, are
they protected species? are there restrictions on picking them or exporting
them?

Is there anything about the weather or any other conditions in Puerto Rico
that you would change if you could to make your orchid growing experience
there even better, or is it pretty much ideal?

Ok, can't think of other questions at this time (close to 1 am here, so I
really ought to call it a day)

Look forward to any answers to these questions or any other info you can
think of that might interest those of us who have never been to Puerto Rico
and thus do not know what orchid growing there is like.

Best,
Joanna


"Fam. Castrodad-Borrero" wrote in message
.. .
Well, since I am fairly new here, and have kept myself lurking I might as
well chime in. My name is Angel (A as in bat, e as in bed, well in spanish
anyway). I was born, raised and proud to be in Puerto Rico. I'm 29, male
and
got into the hobby because of my mother. She's been collecting for some
time
now and has quite a bit of plants. Unfortunately, most don't have their
tag
and I have no way to know which is which. I have been a bit more
meticulous(sp?). The plants that I have bought, I make sure they have
their
tag or I don't buy it.

Now, being a tropical islan with a climate much like Hawaii, a lot of
orchid
growing possiblities abound here. I myself have quite a variety. 4 phals,
4
vandas, 5 catts, 2 brasso, 1 miltassia, 1phaius, 8 dendobriums, 2
epidendrum, and 2 tolumias, both of them endemic of Puerto Rico. Oh, and 3
oncidiums. Not counting the plants I have from divisions of my own. And to
tell you the truth, I don't see any stoping untill I have no place to put
them. LOL

Any other questions let me now.

Angel

This may be of interest.

http://www.geocities.com/brassia.geo/0117_242001.html

From the OrchidSafari archives. I'm not sure if all the photo links work.

K Barrett

"J Fortuna" wrote in message
...
Angel,
Welcome!

A few questions for you about orchids in Puerto Rico: (I am just curious,
and trying to think of questions that might give us a better sense of
Puerto
Rico's orchid growing. Feel free to answer any of them you like, no need
to
answer all, since I am just brainstorming questions here)

Given that Puerto Rico is a self-governing Commonwealth of the United
States, can you just order orchids from any vendors in the US without it
being considered "importing" or are there any restrictions or paperwork?

Do you happen to know how many vendors or commercial growers of orchids
there are in Puerto Rico -- or do you have a URL that you would recommend
for an orchid grower in Puerto Rico? How available are orchids in local
retail? Is orchid growing/collecting a fairly common hobby among people
you
know there? Do you have a local/regional orchid society?

Since Puerto Rico is a tropical island, do you grow the orchids outdoors?
Also, are there any wild orchids that are native to Puerto Rico? If so,
are
they protected species? are there restrictions on picking them or
exporting
them?

Is there anything about the weather or any other conditions in Puerto Rico
that you would change if you could to make your orchid growing experience
there even better, or is it pretty much ideal?

Ok, can't think of other questions at this time (close to 1 am here, so I
really ought to call it a day)

Look forward to any answers to these questions or any other info you can
think of that might interest those of us who have never been to Puerto
Rico
and thus do not know what orchid growing there is like.

Best,
Joanna


"Fam. Castrodad-Borrero" wrote in message
.. .
Well, since I am fairly new here, and have kept myself lurking I might
as
well chime in. My name is Angel (A as in bat, e as in bed, well in
spanish
anyway). I was born, raised and proud to be in Puerto Rico. I'm 29, male
and
got into the hobby because of my mother. She's been collecting for some
time
now and has quite a bit of plants. Unfortunately, most don't have their
tag
and I have no way to know which is which. I have been a bit more
meticulous(sp?). The plants that I have bought, I make sure they have
their
tag or I don't buy it.

Now, being a tropical islan with a climate much like Hawaii, a lot of
orchid
growing possiblities abound here. I myself have quite a variety. 4
phals,
4
vandas, 5 catts, 2 brasso, 1 miltassia, 1phaius, 8 dendobriums, 2
epidendrum, and 2 tolumias, both of them endemic of Puerto Rico. Oh, and
3
oncidiums. Not counting the plants I have from divisions of my own. And
to
tell you the truth, I don't see any stoping untill I have no place to
put
them. LOL

Any other questions let me now.

Angel

This is sort of off topic. . .

I finally got my USDA import permit last week. I was thinking that maybe we
could all pool together and get some flasks from taiwan or somewhere else.
It seems that flasks do not have to undergo the same CITES procedures, so
they can travel back on the plane and have a fast walkthrough the USDA
import inspection station.

I'd like everyone's thoughts. My best guess is that it would end up costing
around $250-$300 (US) for a flask with an average of 30 plants. So the cost
is about the same as retail, except that these would be 'exotic.'

Best,
Troy

Kathy,

This is indeed of interest. Thanks!

I especially enjoyed the reference to "a list of the species that have
escaped from cultivation and have established themselves in natural
settings" :-) I hadn't really thought of that before when thinking about
orchids -- though I knew that some cultivated plants and domestic animals
run away and become wild in settings that are not their natural habitat,
somehow this part of orchid lore had escaped me before, so I had been
thinking of orchids growing in the wild as native to a region. Have
readjusted my thinking now.

Joanna

"K Barrett" wrote in message
news:tKaSb.182063$na.296549@attbi_s04...
This may be of interest.

http://www.geocities.com/brassia.geo/0117_242001.html

From the OrchidSafari archives. I'm not sure if all the photo links work.

K Barrett

"J Fortuna" wrote in message
...
Angel,
Welcome!

A few questions for you about orchids in Puerto Rico: (I am just
curious,
and trying to think of questions that might give us a better sense of
Puerto
Rico's orchid growing. Feel free to answer any of them you like, no need
to
answer all, since I am just brainstorming questions here)

Given that Puerto Rico is a self-governing Commonwealth of the United
States, can you just order orchids from any vendors in the US without it
being considered "importing" or are there any restrictions or paperwork?

Do you happen to know how many vendors or commercial growers of orchids
there are in Puerto Rico -- or do you have a URL that you would
recommend
for an orchid grower in Puerto Rico? How available are orchids in local
retail? Is orchid growing/collecting a fairly common hobby among people
you
know there? Do you have a local/regional orchid society?

Since Puerto Rico is a tropical island, do you grow the orchids
outdoors?
Also, are there any wild orchids that are native to Puerto Rico? If so,
are
they protected species? are there restrictions on picking them or
exporting
them?

Is there anything about the weather or any other conditions in Puerto
Rico
that you would change if you could to make your orchid growing
experience
there even better, or is it pretty much ideal?

Ok, can't think of other questions at this time (close to 1 am here, so
I
really ought to call it a day)

Look forward to any answers to these questions or any other info you can
think of that might interest those of us who have never been to Puerto
Rico
and thus do not know what orchid growing there is like.

Best,
Joanna


"Fam. Castrodad-Borrero" wrote in message
.. .
Well, since I am fairly new here, and have kept myself lurking I might
as
well chime in. My name is Angel (A as in bat, e as in bed, well in
spanish
anyway). I was born, raised and proud to be in Puerto Rico. I'm 29,
male
and
got into the hobby because of my mother. She's been collecting for
some
time
now and has quite a bit of plants. Unfortunately, most don't have
their
tag
and I have no way to know which is which. I have been a bit more
meticulous(sp?). The plants that I have bought, I make sure they have
their
tag or I don't buy it.

Now, being a tropical islan with a climate much like Hawaii, a lot of
orchid
growing possiblities abound here. I myself have quite a variety. 4
phals,
4
vandas, 5 catts, 2 brasso, 1 miltassia, 1phaius, 8 dendobriums, 2
epidendrum, and 2 tolumias, both of them endemic of Puerto Rico. Oh,
and
3
oncidiums. Not counting the plants I have from divisions of my own.
And
to
tell you the truth, I don't see any stoping untill I have no place to
put
them. LOL

Any other questions let me now.

Angel

Angel,
Thanks for your informative replies. I really enjoyed reading them.
Joanna

"Fam. Castrodad-Borrero" wrote in message
...

Angel,
Welcome!

Thanks!!!


A few questions for you about orchids in Puerto Rico: (I am just
curious,
and trying to think of questions that might give us a better sense of
Puerto
Rico's orchid growing. Feel free to answer any of them you like, no need
to
answer all, since I am just brainstorming questions here)

I'll do my best.

Given that Puerto Rico is a self-governing Commonwealth of the United
States, can you just order orchids from any vendors in the US without it
being considered "importing" or are there any restrictions or paperwork?

As far as I understand, if it's from the United States we can just order
with no paperwork or special permits. This is possible because, while we
are
self governed and all, federal law still applies where locals don't. We do
have our own Dept. of Agriculture, for example, but since it receives
funds
from the federal (as well as local) goverment, it has to abide to certain
extent to federal law too.

Now, the only experience I had buying orchids from stateside, was trough
Ebay and I had no problems at all. In fact They arrived in perfect
condition
which is, to say the least much more than I expected.

Do you happen to know how many vendors or commercial growers of orchids
there are in Puerto Rico -- or do you have a URL that you would
recommend
for an orchid grower in Puerto Rico?

I do know a few that have plant stands at a few malls around the San Juan
metro area, and I have the numbers of a few others but none have a web
address. I really don't know if any are equiped to handle mail shipments
abroad.
How available are orchids in local
retail? Is orchid growing/collecting a fairly common hobby among people
you
know there? Do you have a local/regional orchid society?

In order, Not really. Some supermarkets are starting to carry a few Dends,
Phals and some Vandas, but the variety is not very much and they don't
change the genre of the plant they offer too much. If you see one type of
Dends, you'll see new plants of the same type for some time there. Second,
not really either. Orchid growing/ collecting was deemed too expensive/
time
consuming/ hard (and darn it some times it really is...LOL) by most
people.
Although it is catching on fast. Third, Yes we do. The Puertorrican Orchid
Society. I think... They do have a big show coming up in March if I recall
correctly.

Since Puerto Rico is a tropical island, do you grow the orchids
outdoors?

Most of my orchids are outdoors. Some in a balcony where they either get
good morning or afternoon sun, almost no high noon. Others are hanging on
the bers of my bedroom window (almost all houses here in any big city have
bars outside, might as well put them to good use), great view every
morning
Since my house is facing slightly southeast, my northwest (back) side
growing area is well protected by the overhangs of the roof. Great,
indirect, bright sunlight all day. And others reside in pots under
plantain
(large banannas) plants that give them great shade miday and bright light
otherwise.
Also, are there any wild orchids that are native to Puerto Rico? If so,
are
they protected species? are there restrictions on picking them or
exporting
them?

Again, in order. Yes. 2-Most are protected 3- For the protected ones you
can
even go to jail. There is one so darn tiny, it grows under the leaves or
other plants. If you don't have good eye and know EXACTLY what to look
for,
you're out of luck. Oh and take a magnifiying glass to appreciate it. It
grown only on an area of just a couple of square miles. It's in El Yunque
rain forrest.

Is there anything about the weather or any other conditions in Puerto
Rico
that you would change if you could to make your orchid growing
experience
there even better, or is it pretty much ideal?

Pretty much ideal current temps here are about 85-90 degrees during the
day,
70-sometings during the night. Cooler in the mountains, where they are
reaching a low of 53-65 deg. Now, if someone can't grow an orchid here,
they
might as well give it up altogether. LOL

Ok, can't think of other questions at this time (close to 1 am here, so
I
really ought to call it a day)

Look forward to any answers to these questions or any other info you can
think of that might interest those of us who have never been to Puerto
Rico
and thus do not know what orchid growing there is like.

Now those tips will have to wait for later. It's just 9:40am here, but I
got
off work at 6am and I look like a bobble-head doll because I'm dead tired.
Although... I get home around 7am, PERFECT time to water the plants. ;-)

Anything else just shoot. Take care!!

Angel

Angel,
Thanks for your informative replies. I really enjoyed reading them.
Joanna

"Fam. Castrodad-Borrero" wrote in message
...

Angel,
Welcome!

Thanks!!!


A few questions for you about orchids in Puerto Rico: (I am just
curious,
and trying to think of questions that might give us a better sense of
Puerto
Rico's orchid growing. Feel free to answer any of them you like, no need
to
answer all, since I am just brainstorming questions here)

I'll do my best.

Given that Puerto Rico is a self-governing Commonwealth of the United
States, can you just order orchids from any vendors in the US without it
being considered "importing" or are there any restrictions or paperwork?

As far as I understand, if it's from the United States we can just order
with no paperwork or special permits. This is possible because, while we
are
self governed and all, federal law still applies where locals don't. We do
have our own Dept. of Agriculture, for example, but since it receives
funds
from the federal (as well as local) goverment, it has to abide to certain
extent to federal law too.

Now, the only experience I had buying orchids from stateside, was trough
Ebay and I had no problems at all. In fact They arrived in perfect
condition
which is, to say the least much more than I expected.

Do you happen to know how many vendors or commercial growers of orchids
there are in Puerto Rico -- or do you have a URL that you would
recommend
for an orchid grower in Puerto Rico?

I do know a few that have plant stands at a few malls around the San Juan
metro area, and I have the numbers of a few others but none have a web
address. I really don't know if any are equiped to handle mail shipments
abroad.
How available are orchids in local
retail? Is orchid growing/collecting a fairly common hobby among people
you
know there? Do you have a local/regional orchid society?

In order, Not really. Some supermarkets are starting to carry a few Dends,
Phals and some Vandas, but the variety is not very much and they don't
change the genre of the plant they offer too much. If you see one type of
Dends, you'll see new plants of the same type for some time there. Second,
not really either. Orchid growing/ collecting was deemed too expensive/
time
consuming/ hard (and darn it some times it really is...LOL) by most
people.
Although it is catching on fast. Third, Yes we do. The Puertorrican Orchid
Society. I think... They do have a big show coming up in March if I recall
correctly.

Since Puerto Rico is a tropical island, do you grow the orchids
outdoors?

Most of my orchids are outdoors. Some in a balcony where they either get
good morning or afternoon sun, almost no high noon. Others are hanging on
the bers of my bedroom window (almost all houses here in any big city have
bars outside, might as well put them to good use), great view every
morning
Since my house is facing slightly southeast, my northwest (back) side
growing area is well protected by the overhangs of the roof. Great,
indirect, bright sunlight all day. And others reside in pots under
plantain
(large banannas) plants that give them great shade miday and bright light
otherwise.
Also, are there any wild orchids that are native to Puerto Rico? If so,
are
they protected species? are there restrictions on picking them or
exporting
them?

Again, in order. Yes. 2-Most are protected 3- For the protected ones you
can
even go to jail. There is one so darn tiny, it grows under the leaves or
other plants. If you don't have good eye and know EXACTLY what to look
for,
you're out of luck. Oh and take a magnifiying glass to appreciate it. It
grown only on an area of just a couple of square miles. It's in El Yunque
rain forrest.

Is there anything about the weather or any other conditions in Puerto
Rico
that you would change if you could to make your orchid growing
experience
there even better, or is it pretty much ideal?

Pretty much ideal current temps here are about 85-90 degrees during the
day,
70-sometings during the night. Cooler in the mountains, where they are
reaching a low of 53-65 deg. Now, if someone can't grow an orchid here,
they
might as well give it up altogether. LOL

Ok, can't think of other questions at this time (close to 1 am here, so
I
really ought to call it a day)

Look forward to any answers to these questions or any other info you can
think of that might interest those of us who have never been to Puerto
Rico
and thus do not know what orchid growing there is like.

Now those tips will have to wait for later. It's just 9:40am here, but I
got
off work at 6am and I look like a bobble-head doll because I'm dead tired.
Although... I get home around 7am, PERFECT time to water the plants. ;-)

Anything else just shoot. Take care!!

Angel

Troy,

Another great source for flasked species is Burleigh Park Orchids in
Australia. They export flasks directly to the USA at very reasonable prices,
and they have oodles of interesting species.

They charge for Phytosanitary, a relatively (last 2 years?) new thing for
importing flasks, but there is no CITES paperwork needed for sterile flasks.

I ordered two flasks of Jewel orchids from them at a total cost of USD$50
before the Phyto charges were needed and back before I was knowledgeable
enough to work with flasks and so I gave them to a friend, but the entire
process was easy.

Their export flasks contain 12-15 or so plants per flask.

http://www.speciesorchids.com/

In case you don't want to spend $200/$250 on a huge mother flask.

-Eric in SF

"Troy" wrote in message
...
This is sort of off topic. . .

I finally got my USDA import permit last week. I was thinking that maybe
we
could all pool together and get some flasks from taiwan or somewhere else.
It seems that flasks do not have to undergo the same CITES procedures, so
they can travel back on the plane and have a fast walkthrough the USDA
import inspection station.

I'd like everyone's thoughts. My best guess is that it would end up
costing
around $250-$300 (US) for a flask with an average of 30 plants. So the
cost
is about the same as retail, except that these would be 'exotic.'

Best,
Troy

Thanks Eric! That's more my speed, as it were.

--
Best,
Troy House