I realize that there are "stickys" about this subject but I got confused with all the discussions. What would be the best way to ship rooted but bare root Stapelias? This is the part I have always been the most concerned with, but my business is growing (a very good thing) and I'm going to have to bite the bullet. Thanks for your help.
Lisa
Shipping Stapelia questions
Never mind, I think I have got it. I read the stickys and realized that I'm not the only one with this concern. This is the one thing that has stopped me from trading/shipping plants.
Thanks,
Lisa
I have mailed many stapelia and heurnia. I shake off extra soil off of the roots if a whole plant. Make sure it is dry. No need to keep roots damp. Dry is best. Wrap in tissue or news paper. Pack some shredded or crumpled newspaper for insulation. Moss works great too. And off it goes. The main thing is make sure they're dry. Never put in plastic bag. Moisture is the enemy. Even though they are classified as tropical tenders... they have a succulent nature. This is not the "law" ... just how I do it. No complaints so far. Hope this is helpful.
Thank you, I also posted on the succulent cactus forum and they said exactly the same thing. On the stickies it keeps talking about wrapping the root ball for general plant shipping, but it just didn't sound right for stapelia. I just didn't want to mess it up. I just mailed something today and the price of postage was so high I don't even know if I can keep doing it. I ship mostly in the fall/winter and I don't remember it being so expensive even a year ago. Its crazy when the price of getting it there is higher then the price of the product.
Lisa
it is good to know that I'm on the right track. I almost didn't post in case I ended up misinforming you. Shipping is off the chain nowdays. Not to mention that the post office seems to be making it even more complex. Its too bad because many of us find much pleasure in trading. It gets my endorphins flowing!! Happy trading! Melanie
When I saw the bill for shipping it got something else flowing in me!
lisa unless you are doing this professionally sounds to me like you could pack newspaper around and send something like this in a bubble mailer at the very least. sounds like you could send it first class for under 2 bucks.
mamajack-Yes, some of it through my business. I shipped Seedballs last week but it was more expensive because I was in a hurry and "over" packaged them. At the time it was easier and quicker then driving the 15 miles round trip back to the post office.The worst that could happen with these is that I send them priority which is a flat rate I don't want them smashed.
well if it's a business then i guess you can't take the chance. i send lots of things in bubble envies or ones i made myself without problem.
I saw on the plant trading sticky the great method you have for shipping. My main question about these was what to do with the roots. They are really light I just wasn't sure if I should protect the roots. I'm going to do a couple test runs before I actually advertise them on my website.
Thanks,
Lisa