Buying orchids in the winter

[Ray]

Originally Posted by cb977

Hi Floppy...
Most reputable vendors won't ship in winter.

I don't agree. It's not a matter of reputability, it's a matter of preparation.

Picture this:

• A box that is lined with closed-cell foam as extra insulation.
• Plants surrounded by piles of shredded paper, and wrapped in sheets of paper - all pretty good insulation by itself.
• The plants are surrounded by styrofoam peanuts in the insulated box, and heat packs are placed in there before closing it up.

I have shipped plants that way for years - including to Alaska in the middle of winter - without issue.

Granted, it is a P.I.T.A., but if you GOTTA have it...

[littlefrog]

I'm a big fan of bubble wrap. And big boxes. I'm pretty much forced to ship in the winter fairly frequently, since we have 4 or 5 months of winter....

I try to wait for a break in the weather. If it is above freezing here and I'm shipping south, life is good.