what temperatures are too cold to ship orchids

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by camille1585

The "come get it in 3 days" rule is ridiculous!

You mean you can't pick up parcels until three days... you can't just go the next day! Wow that seems dumb.

Here in the UK the main post serice and the people like UPS etc always let you go the next day. You can't pick it up imediately because it's probably still on the van, but we've picked things up in the evening after a card has been left and it's always available by the next day provided you call them to say you are coming.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by RosieC

You mean you can't pick up parcels until three days... you can't just go the next day! Wow that seems dumb.

Here in the UK the main post serice and the people like UPS etc always let you go the next day. You can't pick it up imediately because it's probably still on the van, but we've picked things up in the evening after a card has been left and it's always available by the next day provided you call them to say you are coming.

I can understand about not being able to get it immediately, but here it is downright dumb when it comes to the french postal service. The card they leave you when you're absent gives you the date and time from which you can go get the package, usually 2.5-3 days later. I have tried going the next day to get it, but they won't listen at all.The date on the card is written in stone, no explanations as to why. Swell service. And they are always on strike for one thing or another, so no mail at all.

[Becca]

Originally Posted by Ray

Don't forget that some plants are more tolerant of temperature extremes than others, but generally, plants should ordinarily not see below about 50° to be safe, but if they are dry, they can sometimes take maybe 40° for a brief while.

Yes, heat packs are effective, but they must be used in conjunction with insulation, and there are some things to deal with when using them. My approach, for example, is to surround plants with shredded paper, wrap them in closed cell foam, and wrap THAT in sheets of kraft paper or newspaper. Then I line the box with the closed cell foam, and surround the wrapped plants with foam peanuts. Just before shipping the package, I add a heat pack or two, and away it goes.

Back to the heat packs themselves... 1) They have a limited life. I use 60-hour packs, but ship for 2-day delivery at most. 2) You cannot seal the box, or the pack will consume the oxygen in the box and stop working. 3) moisture is also a prerequisite for them working, so if I'm shipping in really dry weather I'll throw a wet paper towel in the box to increase the humidity.

Hi Ray! I have a 'chid in the Vanda alliance I am wanting to ship to someone before I kill it in my care...lol. Where can I get some of this closed cell foam you speak of? Is it pretty easy to find? I do plan on waiting until after the holidays to ship and I have found a source for 60 and 72 hour heat packs.

Thanks!

[ronaldhanko]

I just received five plant ALL FROZEN in spite of the warning on the box that it contained live plants. I have never ordered plants before during the winter months and will not do so again.

[Becca]

Sorry to here that Ron! Were heat packs not used?

[ronaldhanko]

No heat packs, but the vendor has agreed to replace the plants though we are going to wait until spring.

[Ray]

Becca, I get the foam from a packaging supplies place, but many layers of newspaper will suffice, both for wrapping the plant and lining the box.

[Becca]

ok...I'll see what I can do....it may be a difficult situation for wrapping as the 'chid I am trying to ship is an Aerides with some pretty long horizontal roots on it! If it won't work, I won't risk it.