shipping plants through the mail
 

I was wondering if anyone else has ever had a problem shipping orchids through the mail. I went to ship a package the other day using USPS, and was told I couldn't ship plants. I had to convince the postman that orchids are not in soil, etc. I feared I would have to open the package and show him, (took me awhile just to get everything situated in the first place) but he eventually let it go....very reluctantly.
What are the rules about sending plants through the mail within the USA. I could see if the package was being sent to another country, but not the case here.
Even greenhouses send regular houseplants to customers through the mail, right?
Next time, I won't put "fragile, live orchids" on the box.
I didn't know! I only want them to be handled with care. :_( Pointers anyone?

I've never had a problem, and the boxes are always marked "Live Plant". Where were you shipping to? Some states have their own importing regulations. I'm not certain but I think California and Arizona are two of them...I may be wrong...do NOT tell my husband I said that! :coverlaugh:

Kiki-do, I've never had a problem like that and have shipped a few through the USPS and, of course, receive them all the time marked "Live Orchids", "Handle with Care", "Keep from Heat/Cold", etc.
I *think* it is a decision your local Postmaster makes. I've heard of some of them refusing to ship live plants, not because it is illegal but because of the danger of them dying and an insurance claim being filed. I believe you can't ship to AZ, HI, AL, and I'm not sure about CA.
I'd point out to your Postmaster that as long as the package isn't insured he might want to check the Postal Regulations. LOL Good for you for standing up for yourself!!!

AL

Yeah, thats odd!! I live in Canada, but still, my boxes still ahve huge "FRAGILE, LIVE ORCHIDS" on the side lol.

I was shipping to Florida. It shouldn't have been a problem. Perhaps the Postmaster was having an off day. I just had to check with you all to see if I should have done differently instead of putting "Live Orchids" on the box. It's hard for me to believe in this day and age that some people do not know anything about orchids!! :rofl:
Thanks everyone for your support! :gh

[QUOTE=cb977;12185...I may be wrong...do NOT tell my husband I said that! :coverlaugh:[/QUOTE]

Your secret is safe with me! ;)

I've never had an issue. But I just mark the box "do not leave in direct sun" and ask the PO person to stamp it perishable.

There are rules in lots of states. AZ is the only one I know to avoid for sure. Most have to do with invasive species like bugs or snails. Just give them enough info to treat it with care. They don't need to know what's in the box!

I had a problem at a branch office. I was told I could only send plants from the MAIN office.

Now I just don't label it as live plants and they go through, no problem.

Marilyn

Yeah.. Im sure "Fragile", and do not leave in sun/ heat, as someone mentioned before, would be adequate. Other than that, they do not need to know they are live plants:evil:

Smart cookie!:D I KNOW that it is not against the rules. I really think it's just that some may be confident enough about the rules to make such a huge decision on their own. (probably because they change things up on them weekly)

Heh... My post office knows what I ship (orchids and sometimes frogs), and has never given me a problem. But, after experimenting for quite some time I've come to the conclusion that writing "Live Plants" or any other message on the box is just an invitation to disaster. It seems like any box I write on has a far higher rate of mishap than the ones without special instruction.

Now, it could be just chance. Or, it could be that there are a few postal workers who haven't quite 'gone postal' yet, and take their frustrations out on the boxes. Regardless, I think it is better to pack the plants assuming no special handling (which they aren't going to get anyway), and also assume at least a day or two more than the estimated delivery time. Pack for the worst, and pray for the best.

I'm pretty sure you can have packages held at the receiving end's post office. That might be good for cold weather shipments.

My post office knows what I send too. They haven't seemed to care, except one lady always makes a comment about loving orchids - so I gave her a couple. She's really nice and very friendly, and I haven't had a problem since!;) Really, I've never had a problem, but now we get to talk orchids when I come in the the PO.:D

littlefrog, I think you are right. They all seem to get the same treatment regardless of any special care instructions. The carriers are used to seeing their own 'Perishable' and 'Fragile' stamps, so I don't think that calls too much attention. It's better than nothing, I think. Interesting discussion.

:rofl: Living in Canada when i find somebody willing to ship to me, i request for them not to write that there are orchids in the box.:blushing: Not wanting to increase the odds of not receiving my package, works like a charm everytime!!!

I have shipped all kinds of plants without a problem. I always send them Priority and when asked, tell them that the contents are fragile and perishable. Everything is delivered within a day or two and the recipients have never had a problem. - Lynn

But is it against the law to ship houseplants that are in soil? He seem to make soil the issue. He was going to look up the regulations but we were causing such a line that he said okay once I said they were not in soil.
BTW, they arrived at their destination today....safe and sound. Whew! :) This is an interesting thread. I am interested in knowing how everyone handles their shipping. Thanks for all the imput.

Many of mine are shipped bare root to save on shipping costs.

What about orchids that need to remain moist? Still bare root? Like a phrag? How would that be packaged? :scratchhead:

I have received stuff bareroot in moss and sealed in a ziplock bag. The moss release the moisture and the bag keeps it in.

I have sent a paph in a plastic pot filled with lightweight potting medium. Placed newspaper around the top of the medium and protected it by wrapping the whole thing in newspaper, taped to keep it safe. The best advice for shipping any plants is on Dave's Garden. They explain it clearly and answer all the questions.