From: "Stephen Manza" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: [OGD] kovachii sources
There are two nurseries in Peru that have been granted permission by
the Peruvian government to export Phrag kovachii:
(1) Centro de Jardineria Manrique (Alfredo Manrique) - Dealing only
with Fritz Schomburg at Tropical Propagations (handling the lab work)
and Glen Decker at Piping Rock Orchids (seedlings and sales). They
already have a sizable number of flasks in the states and should have
seedlings for sale sometime around August. I bought a flask from
Fritz and Glen at the NYIOS 10 days ago containing ~15 plantlets for
$225. The plantlets are not yet large enough to be deflasked, so they
are only being sold at the moment to those who can hand carry them.
(2) Peruflora (Manuel and Monolo Arias) - Has sold flasks to a number
of orchid growers, in the US and elsewhere. However, they forced
whoever they sold to to sign a document promising not to sell the
seedlings until March/April, 2007. They claim it is somehow
associated with the INRENA officials in Peru, but it was basically a
way to try and maintain a monopoly on kovachii flask sales. For a
list of people who purchased flasks, you can check their website:
http://www.peru-flora.com/news19.htm
There are only two growers in the US that I know of currently selling
kovachii from Peruflora. Orchids Limited is selling seedlings as what
they call 'futures' at a massively inflated price. Their minimum for
a single seedling is $225, with a non-refundable 50% deposit required
at the time of order, to be shipped in March/April, 2007. Chuck Acker
is selling kovachii seedlings in compots of 5 or 10 for $100/
seedling, with a non-refundable 50% deposit required at the time of
order, to be shipped in March/April, 2007. [The difference between
the deposits being that if Orchids Limited can't fill your order, you
get store credit, whereas Chuck Acker will refund your money.]
--Stephen
