Um....uh...I had a problem today.

On my little business trip to Florida I accidentally bought too many plants.
Honestly it's not my fault. They followed me home. They were practically
giving them away. They were great looking plants....Ok...Somehow I doubt
any of you are buying this.

I had a choice ...ship FedEx (2 day) or check the Box as luggage. I went
with the FedEx this time but was wondering what other people's experience
has been checking plants (orchids) as luggage and letting the folks get them
to you at the other end? I know they ship dogs in crates under there (poor
puppies).

Good Growing,
Gene

P.S. Krull-Smith has some great looking stuff.....so does
Tropic-1....hmmm...wonder if I can get there on the way to the airport
before my flight?

but was wondering what other people's experience
has been checking plants (orchids) as luggage and letting the folks get them
to you at the other end? I know they ship dogs in crates under there (poor
puppies).

Hi Gene,

I have had mixed success with this. The box is definitely going to get some
abuse. My thoughts,

1. Make sure the plants are packed very tight with plenty of foam peanuts. This
way the plants do not get loose and the box has some stability so it will not
dent too badly when banged up against other stuff.

2. Make sure the box is headed for the temperature controlled cargo area. This
is separate from the main luggage area where the temperatures get very cold.

3. I would not recommend this for anything in bud/bloom or for fragile plants.
More sturdy plants like Catts and the bigger Oncidiums are going to be fine.
Paphs, I have had some damage most of the time.

Hope this helps!

Tom.

how about a hard sided suitcase? I"m planning on bringing some plants back
from Redlands in May, and if I have to check them as baggage.....I was
hoping to just strap plants to various family members and say they were the
new fashions.

--

Hugs,
Molli


"Elpaninaro" wrote in message
...
but was wondering what other people's experience
has been checking plants (orchids) as luggage and letting the folks get
them
to you at the other end? I know they ship dogs in crates under there
(poor
puppies).

Hi Gene,

I have had mixed success with this. The box is definitely going to get
some
abuse. My thoughts,

1. Make sure the plants are packed very tight with plenty of foam peanuts.
This
way the plants do not get loose and the box has some stability so it will
not
dent too badly when banged up against other stuff.

2. Make sure the box is headed for the temperature controlled cargo area.
This
is separate from the main luggage area where the temperatures get very
cold.

3. I would not recommend this for anything in bud/bloom or for fragile
plants.
More sturdy plants like Catts and the bigger Oncidiums are going to be
fine.
Paphs, I have had some damage most of the time.

Hope this helps!

Tom.

Tom,

Can you specify that it should go to the temperature controlled area?

Gene



"Elpaninaro" wrote in message
...
but was wondering what other people's experience
has been checking plants (orchids) as luggage and letting the folks get
them
to you at the other end? I know they ship dogs in crates under there
(poor
puppies).

Hi Gene,

I have had mixed success with this. The box is definitely going to get
some
abuse. My thoughts,

1. Make sure the plants are packed very tight with plenty of foam peanuts.
This
way the plants do not get loose and the box has some stability so it will
not
dent too badly when banged up against other stuff.

2. Make sure the box is headed for the temperature controlled cargo area.
This
is separate from the main luggage area where the temperatures get very
cold.

3. I would not recommend this for anything in bud/bloom or for fragile
plants.
More sturdy plants like Catts and the bigger Oncidiums are going to be
fine.
Paphs, I have had some damage most of the time.

Hope this helps!

Tom.

I agree with Tom.

Whenever I brought back plants, I carried them on the plane with me.

--

Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids
http://www.firstrays.com
Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!


"Elpaninaro" wrote in message
...
but was wondering what other people's experience
has been checking plants (orchids) as luggage and letting the folks get
them
to you at the other end? I know they ship dogs in crates under there
(poor
puppies).

Hi Gene,

I have had mixed success with this. The box is definitely going to get
some
abuse. My thoughts,

1. Make sure the plants are packed very tight with plenty of foam peanuts.
This
way the plants do not get loose and the box has some stability so it will
not
dent too badly when banged up against other stuff.

2. Make sure the box is headed for the temperature controlled cargo area.
This
is separate from the main luggage area where the temperatures get very
cold.

3. I would not recommend this for anything in bud/bloom or for fragile
plants.
More sturdy plants like Catts and the bigger Oncidiums are going to be
fine.
Paphs, I have had some damage most of the time.

Hope this helps!

Tom.

Ditto with me. I haven't tried it since 9/11 though. The last time I went
through the security check in Boston it took about an hour in line and they
searched through everything. I have visions of them making me unpot plants
in the middle of the airport.
________________
Ken Woodward
Newton, MA
http://kwoodward.net

"Ray @ First Rays Orchids" wrote in message
news
I agree with Tom.

Whenever I brought back plants, I carried them on the plane with me.

--

Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids
http://www.firstrays.com
Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!


"Elpaninaro" wrote in message
...
but was wondering what other people's experience
has been checking plants (orchids) as luggage and letting the folks get
them
to you at the other end? I know they ship dogs in crates under there
(poor
puppies).

Hi Gene,

I have had mixed success with this. The box is definitely going to get
some
abuse. My thoughts,

1. Make sure the plants are packed very tight with plenty of foam
peanuts.
This
way the plants do not get loose and the box has some stability so it
will
not
dent too badly when banged up against other stuff.

2. Make sure the box is headed for the temperature controlled cargo
area.
This
is separate from the main luggage area where the temperatures get very
cold.

3. I would not recommend this for anything in bud/bloom or for fragile
plants.
More sturdy plants like Catts and the bigger Oncidiums are going to be
fine.
Paphs, I have had some damage most of the time.

Hope this helps!

Tom.

Can you specify that it should go to the temperature controlled area?

Gene

Not sure about plants. Pets absolutely, but you might want to call the airline
to see if you can reserve space up there for plants. I usually have asked at
the counter and was told no problem. And plants showed no damage so I assumed
all was ok.

Take care,

Tom.

Ditto with me. I haven't tried it since 9/11 though. The last time I went
through the security check in Boston it took about an hour in line and they
searched through everything. I have visions of them making me unpot plants
in the middle of the airport.

Good point. I never thought about that. Quite a few components of certain plant
potting mixtures could set off detection systems indicating potential
ingredients in an explosive device.

Tom.

On 06 Mar 2003 04:37:11 GMT, (Elpaninaro)
wrote:

Ditto with me. I haven't tried it since 9/11 though. The last time I went
through the security check in Boston it took about an hour in line and they
searched through everything. I have visions of them making me unpot plants
in the middle of the airport.

Good point. I never thought about that. Quite a few components of certain plant
potting mixtures could set off detection systems indicating potential
ingredients in an explosive device.

Tom.

I have traveled with plants since 9/11. Just put a solid
cardboard box under and encase in large clear plastic that can be
tied as a bubble over. Everyone was fascinated with the thought
(of course it was Wisconsin not Florida) that I was traveling
with "ORCHIDS" But they wanded the box and looked at the
greens... never opened the plastic bag. Due to a cancellation I
went thru security twice. - The gate did not do a second search.
Everything was cool. If something is in bloom it helps intrigue
people and of course gray haired women are "safe." So gentlemen -
I don't know.

As to traveling otherwise. John once went to CA on a business
trip with a samsonite hardside suitcase and a rolled up carry on
(Totes) bag spare. . He came back with his business suit rolled
up in the carry on and the Paph's all strapped in the suitcase.
They were newspaper rolled and wrapped for shipping as if they
were yesterday's garbage and packed in tight. No damage. No
special handling. It was after a visit to Rand's so you know the
type of material he was carrying. I guess the answer is the
weather, the wrap, and pack tight. When we moved we packed
moving boxes with full size catts wrapped this way. Some were
wrapped and packed for 7 days none suffered damage. These things
are generally tougher than we give them credit for.

SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php