From kbwart@alaska.net Sun Sep 21 16:40:45 1997
From: Kathy Wartinbee <kbwart@alaska.net>
Reply-To: kbwart@alaska.net
Subject: Moving orchids through Canada

Hi!
      Several months ago I asked how to move orchids through Canada on a
orchid newsgroup. We were concerned what to do with our plants and how
to get them through Canada and back into the US. You responded to my
question and I thought I would let you know the rest of the story.
      In August my husband and I planned to move from Pennsylvania to Alaska.
We explored a variety of way to make the move; i.e. moving companies,
using a Sea Land container cargo, rental trucks, etc.  But, the easiest
and cheapest way was to move ourselves.  So we bought a 1 ton, crew
cab, dual-wheel Chevy truck and a 36' triaxle trailer with a "gooseneck"
hitch.  ["Gooseneck's" look a little like a 'fifth wheel' but have a
little more flexable connection.]  We knew all our stuff would not fit
so we planned 2 trips to make the move.
      As much fragile stuff as possible made in the first trip.  The plants
had to wait until the second trip.  We packed most of them in the bed of
the truck around the "gooseneck" so they could get air, light, and
water. They were then covered with greenhouse shade cloth to keep them
from ripped to shreds by the wind. Some of the larger plants made it
into the back of the trailer.
      When we stopped, we checked on the plants...watered them...opened the
back of the trailer for light...etc.
      At the Canadian border, the customs agent was most interested in
alcohol and firearms.  They didn't ask about the dog's vaccination
records or anything else.  At the US border the agent was also
interested in alcohol and firearms.  He didn't ask to see the dogs
records or ask about the plants. 
      Our move took us 8 days.  [We average about 600 mile per day.]  Most of
the plants made it.  It will be a while before they look really good.
Right now they are under lights in a sunroom lined with mylar.  One of
the cymbidiums is considering flowering and the rest are looking better.
      Thank you for your information,
      It helped.

      Have a good day!
      Kathy Wartinbee
      Soldotna, Alaska