Orchids

[swagman]

I have some friends from Australia visiting Chiang Mai next month. While here they want to purchase orchids spawned in whiskey bottles. They have a limited range at Kamthieng Market.

Does anyone know anorher source that has a wide range? Bottles must be sealed in such a way to pass a strict quarantine inspection for entry to Australia.

Thank you

[cmsally]

You could try Mountain Orchid just before you get to the Four Seasons Resort.

Haven't been there for a while but they used to have them.

[elektrified]

Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden gift shop and plant market. But I would think if you looked around Khamtieng and perhaps asked a few of the orchid sellers they could point you in the direction. They mostly have those at the plant shows which is not too often these days.

[elektrified]

You could try Mountain Orchid just before you get to the Four Seasons Resort.

Haven't been there for a while but they used to have them.

Was just about to amend my post to include this info...

[xen]

There is a huge orchid Nursey on the road to Pai. I can't remember the name but they have a website. They also do tours of other orchid nurseries. Just Google them if you are interested. They may also be able to assist in export/import of the orchids.

They still may have problems bringing the orchids back as they will most likely need to go into quarantine for a while. Just because they are in bottles doesn't mean they will be regarded as disease free.

[canman]

There is a huge orchid Nursey on the road to Pai. I can't remember the name but they have a website. They also do tours of other orchid nurseries. Just Google them if you are interested. They may also be able to assist in export/import of the orchids.

They still may have problems bringing the orchids back as they will most likely need to go into quarantine for a while. Just because they are in bottles doesn't mean they will be regarded as disease free.

They will almost certainly not be able to bring them in. It is possible that they could apply for an import permit and go through the AQIS process but the cost would be prohibitive and they would most likely just end up with a bunch of dead orchids at the end of the day.

[ChiangMai101]

Yes I can att

There is a huge orchid Nursey on the road to Pai. I can't remember the name but they have a website. They also do tours of other orchid nurseries. Just Google them if you are interested. They may also be able to assist in export/import of the orchids.

They still may have problems bringing the orchids back as they will most likely need to go into quarantine for a while. Just because they are in bottles doesn't mean they will be regarded as disease free.

They will almost certainly not be able to bring them in. It is possible that they could apply for an import permit and go through the AQIS process but the cost would be prohibitive and they would most likely just end up with a bunch of dead orchids at the end of the day.

Yes I can attest to this. I investigated the process a while ago and Australian customs requires one to obtain an import permit prior to importation. Somehow the orchids will need to be certified as disease and pest free. Good luck with that! (IMO this belongs in the too hard basket and won't be worth the angst - they may not flourish in their new Australian environment anyway).

[FolkGuitar]

There are several large orchid nurseries in the Mae Rim area catering to the tourist trade. They all sell orchids in little bottles. I visited this one, right on the main road north this past week.

[Yme]

Even if the bottles are sealed I strongly doubt they will be able to get them past AQIS, but rather they will be seized at port of entry and destroyed.

[kimincm]

There are several large orchid nurseries in the Mae Rim area catering to the tourist trade. They all sell orchids in little bottles. I visited this one, right on the main road north this past week.

Just sent this pic to Aus Customs asking can you or can't you and how many similar bottles,I'm waiting,how long???????????

[CBR250]

There are several large orchid nurseries in the Mae Rim area catering to the tourist trade. They all sell orchids in little bottles. I visited this one, right on the main road north this past week.

Just sent this pic to Aus Customs asking can you or can't you and how many similar bottles,I'm waiting,how long???????????

Until 2010 I took 5 bottles of baby orchids (max allowed) back to Australia each year from Thailand. I always had a copy of the AQIS regs (I'm not going to search for them on my phone, but assume they are still there), and had to use them a few times to convince ill-informed customs officers that it was perfectly legitimate. One time I had to insist they get someone senior, as they wouldn't believe me or my print-outs. The senior officer (woman) who came happened to be an orchid lover, and was most apologetic and helpful. BTW - the regs say 5 bottles, but they don't say size. You could probably bring in 5 of those 5 litre Scotch bottles legally.

Final point - Most Thai orchids prefer tropical conditions, so don't bother taking back unless you can give them such. I spent 3 years trying to get some Vandas to grow leaves more than 5 CM long.