They do not incinerate orchids in NYC!! Or anywhere else I believe. Just rumors.
My former student judge that I mentored works as the Tropical Plant and Orchid Curator at the Bronx Botanical Garden. Once the material is confiscated it does not go back to the country of origin. Nor is it ever forwarded on to the person or persons who ordered them in the first place. They go directly to the garden where Marc and his staff try to save as many as they can. Success ranges from zero saved to sometimes 50, 60, 80%. They do a great job. Many times these exporters were shipping exotic, rare orchids like Telipogons, Draculas and others as Cattleyas or Phalaenopsis hoping that the plant entry people were dumb enough not to know the difference. But you have it on my officially stamped Okie-Dokie form that these guys are well cared for!!!
Honest injun!!!
