Transporting orchids from show

[Leafmite]

I just drag my spouse along with a box. He sits and works on his computer and I keep putting the orchids in the box (after I remove the price tags). I know, that isn't ideal, but I haven't seen holding tables at our shows and the vendors seem so frazzled. Yes, one definitely must grab the good orchids fast. Within two hours at our show, the ones I found interesting were gone.
If it is in the thirties or higher, most orchids won't be harmed by a quick trip to the car. I had to leave my new Onc. Twinkle in the car while we took the kids to the mall and it is fine...just like the Twinkle I bought last year. For cold weather, I wouldn't think anyone would find a cooler odd. You could buy a few hand warmers at your local walmart or hardware store if it is bitterly cold.

[The Orchid Boy]

Got my orchids home safely. The one in low bud didn't blast (at least I don't think). See my new babies here.

[EdenSprings]

Newspaper and cardboard are excellent insulating materials, but if it's terribly cold where you are you might consider investing in a small warming pack and an insulated bag like you'd use for keeping your picnic or grocery items hot/cold during transport. They come in a variety of sizes nowadays and aren't anywhere near as dorky as a Styrofoam cooler.

(Just sayin'...)

[pipsxlch]

I've used cardboard boxes with removable cardboard dividers inside; they are store castoffs that originally held vases/glassware etc. from the manufacturer. You have multiple small compartments a good size to hold pots up to 4-5" (with the boxes I found) safely upright. The boxes are often fairly tall also.

[silken]

I use cardboard boxes or a Rubbermaid tub with the garden trays that have divided individual pot holes. Those dividers are good because it keeps the different orchids from sliding into each other.

[rangiku]

I do the same as silken, Rubbermaid tubs with garden trays. They're especially good in the winter since you can snap the top onto them to protect your orchids from the cold.

[RosieC]

I managed to find a tray at my local garden center (where the leave boxes etc near the checkout for you to use) it has inserts for holding pots. If you can find anything like that it works really well. Otherwise a cooler or anything you think will hold them securely. Don't worry about looking foolish, everyone will be finding ways to carry plants, they will probably look at what you are doing and wish they had thought of it

At the shows I've been to the vendors have been happy to put the plants at the of their stall, or under the table. I usually pay and they wrap and bag it ready for me to take then put my name on the bag. I then go back round the stalls at the end to collect my purchases. Just make sure you make a list of what you have bought so you don't forget anything!

[The Orchid Boy]

It wasn't as cold as I thought it would be and I just carried my orchids out to the car in a few paper sacks that the vendor had. There were other people there that had bought huge oncidiums in bloom with towering spike and they had big, bulky paper over the spikes.

With the local show, there aren't many people who attend that really know orchids. I didn't come across anyone who knew orchids as much or better than I do (except a few vendors). No one there that I knew would have bought a flask or compot, except me or maybe a few members of the local society. I heard a few people say "Who would want to buy that flask/compot for $50 and it won't bloom for 3+ years." I don't know if they understood that there was 20-40 plants in each. I helped a few people out with questions and such. I wish there were more orchid people around that knew more than I did, I guess that's why I go to these forums.

[SlipperGirl]

Only a few venders new more then you

Thanks for starting this thread lots of great tips here, I cant wait for my next show