Acceptable shipping practices?

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Ray

Dehydration takes a long time. Domestic transit times are just not long enough.

I'd agree with that statement, Ray. Perhaps dehydrated wasn't the word SouthPark was looking for... How about cooked? Broiled? Boiled?

[Ray]

Any of those, or...

A plant that was dehydrated to start with will go downhill fast when stressed.

[aliceinwl]

Originally Posted by Ray

Dehydration takes a long time. Domestic transit times are just not long enough.

With my Saronopsis, I think heat from the sun exposure accelerated the process. It went from fine to wrinkled in no more than 6 hours. It was a bare root division. I’m not defending the shipper, but under the “right” set of circumstances, wilting can happen fast.

[hypostatic]

Originally Posted by Ray

Dehydration takes a long time. Domestic transit times are just not long enough.

I think it was in transit for 3-4 days? If the problem was the shipping, I would have expected all the orchids in the box to be like that. Out at least the other orchid of the same species.... I think a simpler explanation is that this individual orchid wasn't as well taken care of; or that it was sick

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Perhaps dehydrated wasn't the word SouthPark was looking for... How about cooked? Broiled? Boiled?

It does look that way WW! It would have to have been broiled prior to that orchid being placed with its next door neighbour - because if the box had gone up to such warm temperatures with both orchids in there, then it would be highly unlikely that one of them gets into that sort of state, while the other orchid (of the same variety) escapes the ordeal.

[aliceinwl]

The only way, I could see one orchid escaping is if the other acted as an insulator. I had this happen with cold damage when I opted to chance it without a heat pack: the orchid on the outside sustained cold damage while a second orchid (similar species make-up) in the middle was pretty much unscathed.

[SouthPark]

Alice ----- possible, but the temperature profile probably couldn't be that perfect such that one would completely protect the other one like that. For sure that - pretty much unscathed is different from totally unscathed. That other sarc appears to be completely unharmed.

Will see if the O.P. reports on any dehydration or shrivel effect on that next-door-neighbour orchid. If there is, then ------ plausible.

[aliceinwl]

With the other issues raised about this vendor, I think odds are they sent a sick/damaged plant.

I just wanted to make the point that exposure to high temperatures can result in pretty severe damage within a very short span of time and that all plants in a box exposed to adverse conditions may not be equally affected.

A reputable seller should pack in such a way as to minimize exposure to heat/cold or offer the customer the option of an insulated box and/or cold/heat pack or not ship during excessive heat/cold.