Do any of you ship plants that are in pots? If so, how do you do it so the plants aren't destroyed in the shipping? Stabelizing the pot so it doesn't smash the plant is what I'm wondering about. Sorry if this makes me sound really stupid but I don't know how you do it. Thanks
How do you ship plants???
I build a collar around the plant attached to the pot out of heavy cardboard. Than I place the entire plant/pot w/collar into a sturdy box filled with packing material (peanuts, popcorn, newspaper, etc).
I have other methods for bare root plants, and rooted cuttings not in pots.........................
Not a stupid question at all. I never ship in a pot, though there may be some instances where you have to. Most folks prefer shipping something bare root if at all possible. As rough as the postal service is on packages I wonder if it would be possible to keep any soil in the pot :)
I seldom ship in the pot, makes it too heavy, I ship bare root with very wet paper towels wraped around the roots with some soil, seal in plastic bag. get heavy box from Post Office, they are Free
I've shipped potted plants. I cut cardboard to cover the top of the pot and tape it to the pot, then cover the pot with plastic and seal it as much as possible with tape. If the foliage will fit, you can slide a tp tube over the leaves to protect them, or wrap them in newspaper. To keep the plant from bouncing or rolling around in the box, I tape it to the inside of the box.
The responces so far are very good and accurate. I do something very similar to Cheryl. Some plants like new seedlings or cuttings that have tender roots or roots that do not like to be disturb ship better in little pots. I cut up a plastic garbage bags in squares then make a slit to the center, wrap around stem and secure with a rubber band. Make sure the dirt in the pot is packed well and up to the edge of the pot. A papertowel rolled up and moistened goes on the top of the pot then put your plastic on and secure with the rubberband. this keeps the dirt from falling out. Then make a tube out of something like an old file folder and use rubber bands to secure. slide into your box, you can have priority mail boxes mailed to your home for free. Pad with shipping peanuts or newpaper so the tubes are secure. If you are through packing and can shake the box gently and the tubes move add more newpaper or peanuts
Otherwise I ship bareroot wrapping with moist, not dripping, paper towels and place in baggies secured with rubber bands or tape Then use newspaper to wrap so that it forms a cone around the foliage. Then follow the same general guidelines about making sure they are secure in the box. Always label the plants and include a copy of the coorespondence regarding the details of your trade. Hope this helps! Happy Trading!
Loretta
I'd like to Thank everyone for your replies. In this particular case it's seedlings that I was asking about, but i'm glad I left the question open ended so as to get remarks on the various methods. Thanks A Lot!!!!!
You've just saved plants from the Shipping Industry. I'm sure the plants are grateful as well. Mine are certainly breathing a bit easier.