Packaging and Shipping Instructions

[AnonYMouse]

Not mentioned yet: poly fiber fill (pillow stuffing). I've received plants with the "fluff" to cushion leaves and bud/flowers then wrapped in paper. Very tiny plants have arrived with the "fluff" in lidded Solo cups.

[Salixx]

I package similar to the way Ray does for in pot plants. The only difference I personally make is that I use packing peanuts during the winter as they provide good insulation and are light weight. When using heat packs you'll also want to create a mild buffer so the plant doesn't come in direct contact with the heat pack. I usually use a small pillow of shredded paper. Just an FYI, heating packs work best if also wrapped loosely in paper.

Depending on the box, I may tape the pack to the side. Usually, however, I pack it firmly with peanuts so nothing can move. I also give the package a final QC shake. If I can hear big things shifting around then I find the hole and plug it.

Kawamoto Orchids also has a good video on youtube for how they pack plants that I emulated when I started shipping a lot. You might tweak your style along the way but it's a really good starting point.

[Ki6bud]

Thanks everyone! Great tips!

[emmajs243]

My very first orchid that wasn't just a Phal came from kawamoto orchids and it arrived absolutely beautifully! I had never before recieved an orchid and I will say....unwrapping all these things from a plant is kinda weird at first! I was definitely wondering if that's how it was suppose to be done BUT, they did a beautiful job and the plant shockingly hasn't had ANY setback due to being shipped in the cold OR the drastic climate change from hawaii to idaho!

ALSO, the one thing I have recieved from one seller this winter that I haven't seen with anyone else.....I REALLY appreciated it considering i live in Idaho where the winters are COLD! However, I DONT know if the seller applied it or the shipping service....They had this bright orange sticker on the outside of the box that read,

". LIVE PLANTS - large font, not bold
ORCHIDS - LARGEST font, bold
Product of South Carolina,
United States of America - smallest font, not bold
KEEP FROM
HEAT & COLD" - size of top line font, bold

I REALLY appreciated it. The box easily could have just been stuffed in my mailbox like usual but my mail lady hand delivered it to my door and didn't just drop it, knock and go but waited for me to come and answer and take it. I told her thank you for doing that and she said, "Oh ya! I saw the sticker and figured that it shouldn't be left in your mailbox or just on your porch! I rode with it in the warmest part of the car and came here first because of it."

So it did really make a difference in the shipping care given!