How long can an orchid survive in the post?

[mossmac]

Hi there,

I just received an Encyclia fragrans orchid in the post today (bought off Ebay) which was caught up in a combination of Christmas mail and postal strikes. It had been in the post for 13 days. The lesson it has taught me is NOT to be tempted to buy Ebay orchids over the Christmas period!

I was waiting for the arrival of the orchid with rather a feeling of dread as to what I might find inside the box. Images of blackened, limp leaves and mouldy pseudobulbs came to mind ............. Anyway, when I opened the box, I was amazed to find an essentially green plant, not looking too worse for wear, considering it had been in total darkness for 13 days. Yes, the pseudobulbs were slightly limp and I did have to trim some of the leaves (which had got brown ends) but I reckon with a bit of tlc, it is going to be okay! It even has two new pseudobulbs coming up!

I was wondering what the longest anyone's orchids have spent 'stuck in the post' (and been okay at the end of it)? Orchids must be pretty tough (certainly Encyclia fragrans, anyway!!).

I am just so happy that this story has a happy ending (touch wood!!).

Mossmac

[Pilot]

I cannot imagine it would have done well for much longer than 13 days. Imagine how you would feel not seeing light for 13 days. Yuck... poor plant. Good thing you're taking such good care of it now!

[bodaciousbonsai]

I only ship or have orchids shipped to me under priorty mail usps. 2-3- days max

[Roly0217]

The longest any of my shipment has taken in transit to get to me were 3 weeks. These plants were coming from Canada when I didn't know much about shipping and such.

[Ray]

I used to travel internationally on business, so collected or bought plants from street vendors and shipped them home. The average was about two weeks, but the longest was 27 days in-transit from rural Brazil, and I didn't lose a plant.

Small plants and those with no serious water storage mechanisms - phals in particular - seem to suffer the worst.

[mossmac]

Wow! 27 days in transit and it still survived! That is amazing! What you say about phals is what I have found - they really don't fare that well in the post. All the phals I have received in the post have taken a while to get back to 'full health' again. The phals I have received, posted in their pots have 'recovered' more quickly than the bare-rooted ones. I think what you say about an orchid's water storage system is spot on. Orchids with pseudobulbs probably fare better than those without.

[Mevv]

my first orchid by mail was a seedling and took 21 days to arrive, it still is struggling. It seems to be a gamble when recieving orchids so far way. :\

[Undergrounder]

I've had orchids in flask stuck for 2 - 3 weeks without any problems from lack of sunlight. I think lack of sunlight isn't nearly as bad as moisture causing fungus and stuff.

I avoided sending a dozen or more orchids through the post this Christmas because of strikes and holidays, glad i did.

[jkofferdahl]

About a year ago I ordered a couple of Psychopsis, and had them sent to my work address. However, I put the zip code for my home. This completely blew up the Georgia Post Office, who needed a full month to figure out where to deliver the box. Three months after the plants arrived, both had nice new growth and one of the two was in bloom.

Orchids are amazingly hardy plants.

[Des]

When I order seedlings from OZ they can take as long as 21 days to get to me by air parcel post . So far I have not lost a plant