what care should take for sending ground orchids

[mvjohn100]

we wish to send "calanthe masuca" plant to a distance place( it take more than one week to reach the destination) through courier service. As a ground orchid what care we want to take care. is this plants can reach there with out severe damage?

[Ray]

I suggest watering the plant thoroughly, so it can absorb as much water as possible.

After a couple of days, unpot it and remove all of the potting medium. If the plant will be exposed to high heat in-transit, surround the roots loosely with moist (not "wet") sphagnum. If it will not, leave it dry.

Surround the entire plant with a thick layer of shredded paper. It is both mechanical padding and thermal insulation. Then wrap the entire thing in several more sheets of paper, totally enclosing the plant.

The plant may arrive a bit dehydrated, but it shouldn't be so extreme to be a major issue.

If that plant has to cross any national borders en route, I hope you have the proper permits and documentation.

[Tindomul]

Great advice. Want to hijack a bit, recently I have been receiving plants wrapped in shredded wax paper. Is that better than plain paper?

[mvjohn100]

Thanks for the information