swamprad
Memphis Orchid Society
I know this has been discussed before, but I'm still not clear on certain issues regarding the legality of some slippers in the U.S.
I know that there are some legal helenae and vietnamense plants in the U.S. Therefore it is my understanding that, for all practical purposes, these two species and their hybrids can be considered legal to own, as well as to show for AOS judging. In other words, your particular plant may not be one of the legal ones, but no one could tell the difference. Of course, if there was some evidence that a particular plant had been brought in illegally, that would be a different matter. And this does not mean that someone can legally import more of them. Am I correct, or is there more to it than that? May I show these two species and their hybrids for AOS judging? Is there any type of proof of legality required by the AOS?
It is also my understanding that no other of the other Paph. species discovered after CITES are legal to own (or show) in the U.S. Is this correct, or are there some legal plants of species other than helenae and vietnamense?
I also understand that the powers that be are completely unconcerned with small-time hobbyists who might be growing and propagating these technicallly illegal plants. A grower could get in trouble, however, if he was caught trying to import illegal plants into the U.S. Am I correct?
I know that there are some legal helenae and vietnamense plants in the U.S. Therefore it is my understanding that, for all practical purposes, these two species and their hybrids can be considered legal to own, as well as to show for AOS judging. In other words, your particular plant may not be one of the legal ones, but no one could tell the difference. Of course, if there was some evidence that a particular plant had been brought in illegally, that would be a different matter. And this does not mean that someone can legally import more of them. Am I correct, or is there more to it than that? May I show these two species and their hybrids for AOS judging? Is there any type of proof of legality required by the AOS?
It is also my understanding that no other of the other Paph. species discovered after CITES are legal to own (or show) in the U.S. Is this correct, or are there some legal plants of species other than helenae and vietnamense?
I also understand that the powers that be are completely unconcerned with small-time hobbyists who might be growing and propagating these technicallly illegal plants. A grower could get in trouble, however, if he was caught trying to import illegal plants into the U.S. Am I correct?