How to Import Orchids - Conversation with Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids

Subtitles in many language available
Fred Clarke and I discuss the best techniques for importing Catasetums and Cattleya into North America from the southern hemisphere. This conversation is important for anyone thinking about getting orchids from way down south!

[@JuliesOrchids]

I'm in Western Australia and even getting plants from over east requires CITES and Plant Certs, quarantine etc... I have recently purchased flasks for this exact reason, there is no added cost, just shipping.Wish me luck as I have just de flasked my first purchase.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Wow, that's crazy it's so tough to get mature plants. Good luck with the flasks. It's a lot of fun, but there's definitely a learning curve!

[@hillbillyorchids]

Hey Stephen 👋 Hey Fred 👋 great talk you guys! I hope you guys keep doing this! Alot of great information! Hope you both have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🥰🥰🥰

[@SVKLOrchids]

Hi Paula! We'll have another chat in the New Year! I hope you have a great Christmas and New Year as well!

[@mgadventurer9654]

Love Fred and his willingness to share information and give tips and guidance to us hobbyists!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Yes, his generosity makes us all better growers!

[@thedignator]

Consider yourself lucky! Here in Europe (The Netherlands), it's similar to Australia. Very tough to import :(

[@SVKLOrchids]

Yes, that seems to be a common theme for my European friends! Can you buy group orders from the vendors that sell at the shows?

[@thedignator]

@@SVKLOrchids So far I know, orchid shows (also orchid societies) are not really an international or big thing here. I've only seen German vendors on a show here. My hopes are up for the new Ecuagenera in Germany. I hope they will stock more brasilian orchids or are willing to do imports. 🤞🏼 But my collection is getting too big already 🤪

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@thedignator I think Ecuagenera and Floralia go to Europe! I know Floralia sent a list about a month ago letting people know they are in USA and Europe soon.

[@thedignator]

@@SVKLOrchids Thank you for telling me this!!!! I will contact them!

[@richardlawton1023]

Thanks well said.

[@richardlawton1023]

Any thoughts on ordering from Equgenera?

[@SVKLOrchids]

I’ve seen really nice plants from them! I’ve also heard on social media that they’ve had virus issues lately 😬

[@FernandaNascimentoOrchids]

Great chat, Stephen!!! looking forward to the next one. Thanks to the both of you and a happy festive season 💖🎄🎅

[@SVKLOrchids]

Thanks! I hope you have a great holiday season as well!

[@elen_chris]

Another great conversation very informative. Thank you both!!!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Thank you!

[@lina9161]

Great & best video.thanks for sharing

[@SVKLOrchids]

Thank you!

[@jonathanchang1574]

I have a Ctsm macroglossum from Ecuagenera that was dormant for 2 years before it started growing again. I had it sitting in a corner of the room thinking it was just going to shrivel up and eventually die, but luckily only lost one pseudobulb before it came around.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Oh wow, two years is a long time! I would have also thought it was a goner.

[@elenabarnes3492]

Great chat! Thank you both! Happy holidays!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Thanks! Have a great holiday and hopefully I'll see you at the January meeting!

[@michaelpye5972]

Great presentation Stephen. I wish we could import orchids here.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Are you able to get flasks?

[@michaelpye5972]

@@SVKLOrchids Yes, up to 6 if travelling. Not sure about by freight

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@michaelpye5972 Might be the way to go!

[@zvikasadeh5268]

Thanks for the great video. I live in Israel and would love to import some orchids. I have to research on how to import orchids to Israel. I hope its not a too expensive

[@SVKLOrchids]

Imports are a lot of fun! Hopefully you get to try some!

[@Muffin21814]

Fantastic!!! Thank you both for your time.😁👍

[@SVKLOrchids]

Glad to do it!

[@MattbyNature]

Thanks a lot for sharing this information and I loved the point at the end about foraging/poaching plants in the wild!!!

[@SVKLOrchids]

No problem! I know you import quite a few plants! I hope this is helpful!

[@MattbyNature]

@@SVKLOrchids I do but I wouldn’t have thought to force the plants into the new season. I’m one of those “you grow, I water” people that just react to the plants but I’ll try it with the potentially upcoming imports 😏

[@sunahyun6339]

Great video. Thank you for this important interview!

[@SVKLOrchids]

My pleasure!

[@orchidhouse]

Great chat! Thank you both!

[@SVKLOrchids]

Thanks! Hopefully I'll be able to swing by Florida again in 2022 and grab some imports.

[@orchidhouse]

@@SVKLOrchids Tamiami 1/14 to 1/16 Fort Lauderdale 1/21 to 1/23. There are no South American vendors at the Ft Lauderdale Show though but usually a couple of Taiwan vendors

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@orchidhouse I might try for Redlands. I think that’s in May?

[@orchidhouse]

@@SVKLOrchids That is correct .... and the timing to import Catasetums will be perfect LOL!

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@orchidhouse Exactly!

[@backyardbutterfliesorchids954]

Interesting topic. Thank you for the information.

[@SVKLOrchids]

Glad to help! Getting unusual species is a tons of fun!

[@backyardbutterfliesorchids954]

@@SVKLOrchids yes. Your videos have inspired me to try growing catesetenae. Hope to have the same success as you have achieved.

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@backyardbutterfliesorchids954 That’s awesome! Please let me know if you ever have any questions!

[@backyardbutterfliesorchids954]

FYI- I linked this video to a new video I made today because I purchased some seedlings from a Brazilian grower. I’m new to making videos and not sure of the protocol. Is this ok or would you prefer I take it out? Thanks

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@backyardbutterfliesorchids954 That works for me! Much appreciated!

[@girlygirl7454]

Some time ago I bought some catasetums and potted four of them and forgot one, which was hidden under some others. Whenever I watered it got watered too. Yesterday I discovered it only to find all the roots rotted, except a few. The leaves had all fallen off, I guess, bz of dormancy. Do I clean up or leave alone till spring . Will new roots develop in spring and old ones fall off? Or leave alone?

[@SVKLOrchids]

I’d pull it out of the pot to inspect for rot at the base of a growth. Then put it in an empty pot to the side where it won’t get watered.

[@girlygirl7454]

Thanks. I did, no rot anywhere, just dry roots, with a lot of fat good ones.

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@girlygirl7454 perfect! Should be good to go in spring!

[@girlygirl7454]

@@SVKLOrchids thanks a lot

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@girlygirl7454 you’re welcome!

[@OrchideenamFenster]

Imports to germany get harder every year. I`m not sure if I can import anything next year. Especially catasetums. By the way, best greetings to Fred Clarke! No need to introduce him. When it comes to our hobby, he`s already some kind of rockstar 😉

[@SVKLOrchids]

Ha! He is indeed! Are you able to do group orders from vendors doing shows? I imagine there aren't a lot shows there right now since its winter and there's another covid outbreak. But maybe in spring or summer?

[@OrchideenamFenster]

@@SVKLOrchids there are alwasy some group orders in spring offered by several vendors. But catasetums are few and still kind of unpopular over here. I work on that problem! 😉 I set all my hopes on the great show in Dresden, next spring!

[@SVKLOrchids]

@@OrchideenamFenster 😃😃