Shipping orchids in the dead of Winter. Good idea?

[mollycart1]

Originally Posted by Rex Anglorum

Also, I'm having a terrible time finding a good selection of awarded Miltoniopsis for sale. Theresa at Hillsview Gardens doesn't have any listed for sale at the moment, so the other major possibility would be Ivan Komoda in Hawaii. Any other vendor suggestions for Miltoniopsis that I might be overlooking?

All the best,

C.J.

Have you tried to contact Theresa by email? Some of her plants may not be listed on the web, but she might be able to find you some good ones. I was at her greenhouse in November.

[boytjie]

You can also work with many vendors/eBay sellers to upgrade your shipping to overnight or next-day air. Of course it's not cheap, but you get the security of knowing your plants are spending the shortest possible amount of time in transit. One thing to bear in mind: make sure the carrier knows that the package needs to be signed for. You might have to make a trip to the FedEx or UPS depot to pick it up in person, but there is no sense in forking out extra bucks for overnight shipping, only to have the box deposited on your frozen doorstep and left to sit there till you get home from work.

[littlefrog]

I ship most of the winter. Right now I'm not shipping anywhere north of Tennessee. But I'll get those orders out next week, perhaps.

I use styrofoam lined boxes and heat packs. Priority mail seems to work. I keep an eye on the weather at the destination. It isn't so critical what my weather is (michigan sucks this time of year).

I might have lost one box last year (out of a hundred or so), and that was really the post office's fault. If they lose a box for a week I'm blaming them.

Rob

[fotofashion]

I am drooling over some orchids (so what is new there). But, even though I live on the Texas Gulf Coast, I am going to hold off on ordering them. I just don't want to risk the weather that right now is so bad just about everywhere. Even here, we are expecting temps in the low 20s the rest of the week. I'll be happy to be able to keep the GH above 32 let alone risk getting plants in the mail or FedX.
I know most sellers are conscientious about packing but, again, what if the courier isn't and the plant gets left somewhere cold for too long. Nope, not worth it IMHO.
Beverly A.

[cb977]

I know it's hard when you have the itch to order something and the weather is holding you back

With the weather we're having down here, I suggest you hold off a while. This is the perfect time to go pick up a blooming chid somewhere...sometimes you just need a "fix"

[jowben1]

I just recieved 2 Cats from Hawaii, no heat packs, but lots of cotton and news paper. It's in the 30's today in sunny Fl. and they were fine....(Kawamoto, he packs unbelievably well).

[stefpix]

probably the best time to order Pleiones, Bletillas, Cymbidiums, Laelia anceps.
wonder if some sellers lower their prices in the winter

Received a Bulbo lobbii from autumnimports and Ansellia from Nia and they look fine. lots of paperin teh larger than usual box. after all inside a truck might be slightly warmer than outside. and plants were very dry when i received them.

[jkofferdahl]

I've received several winter shipments and not had any problems. My plants have arrived safe and healthy. However, I live in the Sunny South! I think I'd be pretty nervous about it living in the North.

[Gin]

I am on an Orchid diet.. none till spring it will be around 10 below tonight can't trust the weather in Mo.

[Country Gramma]

I just got some from shermantp on ebay that were fine. Some from kamamoto that were packaged wonderfully but may have been left somewhere very cold for a night. Lost many spikes but most of the plants are OK and they will make good on any that don't make it.

First Ray's is the best for shipping up here (I have one on order now) that I'm familiar with.

I know I should wait, but I'm willing to take a chance, I'm an orchidaholic!!!

Karen