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Foresta Orchids

Discussion in 'Orchid Vendor FYI' started by Mat Brutger, Dec 7, 2020.

  1. Dec 7, 2020 #1
    Mat Brutger

    Mat Brutger Active Member

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    Hello,

    Has anyone imported from Foresta Orchids before? Their prices are listed in US dollars but I'm not finding much info on their importing process. I know there is far less regulation from SE asian importers so I want to make sure this is a company that follows the rules. Anyone have experience with them?

    Mat
     
  2. Dec 7, 2020 #2
    Raven

    Raven Well-Known Member

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    I tried. Dozens of emails saying that the CITES will be available "tomorrow". Eight months later the owner suggested shipping without any documentation, when I said this is not an option he just said he stopped responding to my emails.
     
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  3. Dec 7, 2020 #3
    Mat Brutger

    Mat Brutger Active Member

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    Well that's frustrating! Thanks for your feedback. Sure would be nice if they would do things legally, they have quite an amazing species list!
     
  4. Dec 7, 2020 #4
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Having an amazing list is not the same thing as having those amazing plants. They may be a fiction just like the CITES paperwork.
     
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  5. Dec 8, 2020 #5
    Mat Brutger

    Mat Brutger Active Member

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    true! Marni I know you have a lot of importing experience, what Asian vendors have you found most reliable? PNG dendrobiums and bulbos are my thing and I’m on the look out for sources
     
  6. Dec 8, 2020 #6
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I am doing less importing and more often shop with foreign vendors when they are in the US. I've been a customer of Dan Chong of Far East Agriculture since I first met him in 2008. He doesn't ship, so you have to wait until things open up and he comes back to the US. A lot of the things I saw on Foresta's list I have seen on the list from Tropical Exotique. He has a lot of seed grown plants and also divisions and he does ship during the pandemic. His plants are really nice. I order some things from Wenqing Perner a couple of times a year. I shop with Ten Shin Gardens when I see him at shows.
     
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  7. Feb 19, 2021 #7
    Matthew Speights

    Matthew Speights New Member

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    Matt, I tried, too. Similar experience to Raven, although I didn't get as far. Their stuff looks fantastic, and I'm after New Guinea plants, too, so I was interested at first. But, it felt "too good to be true." I discussed with Andy, and he's pretty sure many of their orchids were wild collected. Given the really bad political situation and hunan rights abuses in Indonesian-occupied New Guinea, I don't want to contribute to exploitation of Papuan nationals.
     
  8. Feb 20, 2021 #8
    Mat Brutger

    Mat Brutger Active Member

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    Right there with you, I’ve abandoned the idea of importing from them. So disappointing to see things like this.
     
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