Orchids on airplanes

[Paul Mc]

So, I'm headed out on vacation this Saturday and am trying to arrange to visit some local growers in South Carolina. What's the best way to transport purchases back home when on an airplane? I live in Missouri, so the California, New Mexico and Hawaii issues don't affect me that I'm aware of, and since it's within the U.S. other laws don't apply. Is it on to bring them on an airplane? I'm assuming I'd want to do carry on to ensure they survive and their handling.

[Pilot]

Paul I've hand carries orchids home before. Things to consider: the size of container (anyone who's flown the past year knows the flights are packed full and putting a box overhead will be difficult to ensure heir safety, I packed my chids Ina box small enough to stow under the seat), if you have a larger box if you check it make sure you pack really well. If you get many plants or they are large, I'd send them home the day before you depart for home and meet the box at home. Carry chids was annoying but then again I was carrying a real kid too.

[Daethen]

That was my thought too. Package them yourself and send them. They should make it just fine. That way you can buy more!!!

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by Daethen

That was my thought too. Package them yourself and send them. They should make it just fine. That way you can buy more!!!

Psh!!! Hit the nail on the head with that one, how could I leave that aspect out? Send them home, buy more. Send me some, too.

[zxyqu]

Ryan, both the above are correct. I take my in my carry-on, well packed in newspaper and buffered with some clothes to prevent too much movement. But if space is at a premium... Buy... Ship.. Buy More... Repeat, until you have to sell you hair to a wigshop...

[Wynn Dee13]

I have brought orchids home on planes twice. I just did last week. I just wrap them up like they are being shipped and put them in a box and then put the box in a bag so it's easier to carry. I used a shopping bag that you get from a department store and last year I used a reusable grocery bag. Friday I flew home from the San Diego area and the flight attendant didn't want me to keep the bag with me and wanted to put it in the overhead compartments but I was nervous about the plants getting squished by all the luggage. I told the flight attendant that they where orchids and they were fragile so he put them in the first class closet for me.

I only brought 3 minis home with me though and had the other 15 shipped. I brought three that were in bloom so I could enjoy them for the rest of my vacation.

Last year I did the same thing but brought all of them on the plane and it was fine too. Last year I only had 7 though.

What nurseries are you going to visit? I visited Andy's Orchids and Sunset Valley Orchids. Remember to take pics! I forgot and now I am so wishing I did! My Mom and I talked to Andy for 4.5 hours! I talked to Fed for two. It was a lot of fun!

Have fun on your vacation and buy lots of plants!!!

[vmax3000]

I was fortunate enough to attend the WOC when it was in Miami, Fl. I, of course, purchased plants and ended up carrying them back in a tote bag that I kept with me. Reading what others did, I am stunned my plants made it, as they were just placed in the bag, as if I were going home from a local shopping trip! The flight attendants were helpful in this case. They placed the plants in one of their cases up front where the plants remained upright (I wouldn't rely on that, though). If I were to do it again, I'd probably ship to myself or wrap them and place them in a bag, depending on how large the plants were. Oh, and yeah, I'd buy more...but I am a sucker for a nifty orchid

[Bud]

I dont buy orchids to carry in flight....but I carry 4 of my biggest Vanda if I am on tour with a Broadway show and hang them on the largest window of my hotelroom(I am so attached to it that I refuse the babysitter to care for them)....
I have a large coat box or a wedding dress box that is 40 inches long and wet some tissue paper and lay my plants inside and cover it....it is handcarried like a wedding dress and go through inspection and I am always stopped to have it opened because the xray of my box is suspect and weird....but I get through....the flight attendant puts it on the closet up front and do it with a smile thinking I am bringing a bridal dress for a wedding

*take note about Hawaii....they have a very strict rule on plants and needs a certificate
*Arizona both land and air
*that is why you have sellers on Ebay refusing to mail any orchids to those states....the customs officials will thrash them before your very eyes ready for inceneration

[Paul Mc]

I'm hoping to visit John's Island Orchids in John's Island, SC.

[zxyqu]

And the Norton's at Orchidview right??? You can just swing by the Carolinas and miss them!