We agree with Mr Cheang Peng Wah that plants make wonderful mementoes, especially when they are from Singapore - the City in a Garden ("Let visitors take home a piece of the Garden City"; last Wednesday).

Souvenir shops at both Singapore Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay do sell "live" plants - some of which are cultivated from our own nursery and laboratory - and seed-growing kits.

A selection of offerings by the Garden Shop at Singapore Botanic Gardens can be seen online (botanicgardensshop.sg/shop).

Tourists who wish to buy plants and take them home are required to meet international regulations.

Application for the necessary certificates might involve waiting time of a few days, and an additional administration fee.

To avoid the disappointment of having their products confiscated at Customs, visitors who purchase plants and seeds need to be aware of control regulations of the country they are taking the products into, as certification does not guarantee permission to import.

We thank Mr Cheang for his suggestion on selling VIP orchids, such as the Aranda Lee Kuan Yew orchid. VIP orchids are named after individuals as a gesture of goodwill and friendship. Each named orchid is exclusive to the individual and is not for sale. This is what makes the orchid significant and special.

Nigel Taylor (Dr)
Director, Singapore Botanic Gardens
National Parks Board

Prisca Teh (Ms)
Director, Retail Management
Gardens by the Bay