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How to Ship Live Plants
How to Ship Live Plants. Being able to send your favorite plants to your friends or family can be exciting. Preparing your plants is a learning experience that the whole family can enjoy any time of the year. While perennials do best during shipment because of their quality and normal dormant state, annuals can be sent with the right care. Also, if...
Being able to send your favorite plants to your friends or family can be exciting. Preparing your plants is a learning experience that the whole family can enjoy any time of the year. While perennials do best during shipment because of their quality and normal dormant state, annuals can be sent with the right care. Also, if you are interested in beginning your own greenhouse or on-line nursery, handling your plants for packaging, and then shipping properly is a must to satisfy clients near and far.
Things You'll Need
Polymer powder
Paper towel
Plastic wrap
Newspaper
Packing peanuts
Cardboard box
Rinse the plants roots under cool water to remove clumps of dirt and various debris. The roots do not need to be packed in a potted container to survive the mailing.
Dampen a thick and sturdy paper towel and set across a flat surface. Lay the plant roots onto the towel, leaving the stems and leaves above the towel.
Mix polymer with water to create a smooth texture that's not too loose, like the texture of cough syrup. Drizzle a teaspoonful of polymer per three inch square of root.
Wrap the towel around the roots, sealing in moisture and polymer mix. Wrap with plastic wrap to create a leak-proof barrier.
Wrap newspaper around the entire plant, leaving the top open for air circulation. Tape loosely.
Place the wrapped plant into a cardboard box cushioned with packing peanuts.
Tips & Warnings
Ship your package on a Monday. If the shipment gets delayed a possible extra day or two, at least it will not be on hold over the weekend as well.
Always have the package weighed and labeled properly. You never want the package returned--it could kill the plants to leave them within the box for too long. Write clearly on the label HANDLE WITH CARE.
Check your state and the state in which the plants will be crossing through for their laws and codes about living plant shipment. Often, within the United States, packages ship without difficulty. However, if you are shipping overseas, or even across the Canadian or Mexican boarder, you may encounter difficulties.
