Flowers

Packaging Requirements

Observe the following general requirements when packaging your shipments:

• Secure contents inside the shipping container, because directional arrows cannot always be honoured, and plants and flowers may be shipped in different orientations.
• Protect flowers and plants from temperature extremes that may occur during shipment or after delivery at the recipient’s location; for climate protection., ship vases or containers without water and cover soil in pots and plant containers.
• Place your shipping label on the top of the box to increase the chance of shipment in the preferred orientation.
• Make sure your shipments comply with any applicable local, state and federal laws governing shipment of flowers and plants.

Preparing Flowers and Plants for Shipment

From floral arrangements to bulk flowers, seedlings to mature plants, packaging requirements vary based on the contents of your shipment. The instructions and illustrations are provided here to help you develop effective packaging for your shipments.

Floral Arrangements

Secure floral arrangements inside a box using cable ties or bands secured to the box or to an inside insert to prevent shifting of the arrangement during shipment. If you are shipping a vase with the arrangement, also secure the vase inside the box. We recommend a corrugated divider to separate the vase from the flowers. If the vase is fragile, use additional packaging materials to cushion the vase

and protect it from damage during shipment. Ship vases or containers without water; shipping with water is prohibited because it may leak during shipment and cause product damage or safety issues.

Plant Seedlings and Plugs

Plant seedlings and plugs are fragile and difficult to secure in the shipping carton, so they require special attention. We recommend a corrugated tray with a top pad designed to push lightly against seedlings or plugs to secure them in their plastic tray during shipment.

This packaging method works best with leafy seedlings and plugs, not tall and spindly plant material. You can also use plastic mesh over the plant plugs to provide added security. The moisture content of the soil is also an important consideration during shipment. If the soil is too dry, plugs are more likely to spill out of the plastic tray. If the soil is too wet, the corrugated tray may weaken from the moisture. Since you cannot secure plant plugs individually inside the plastic tray, you can expect

some plugs to be dislodged during transit and some soil to sift out of the plastic tray, so plan accordingly when preparing your shipment.

Plants

 When shipping plants, secure them to prevent movement inside the shipping carton. If the plant shifts inside the carton, it can cause breakage of plant stems and leaves, so we recommend using a corrugated divider that locks the pot inside the box. The soil inside the box must also be contained. Place the pot in a plastic bag and secure the top opening of the bag around the stem of the plant. If the plant does not have a single main stem, you can place paper between the leaves and over the soil and secure it to the pot.

Orchids

Orchids require special packing because they are inherently fragile. When shipping multiple orchids, secure the pots in the shipping carton with enough space to keep plants separated during shipment. Contact between the plants’ blooms and leaves can lead to damage. You can also wrap the blooms and leaves in paper to provide extra cushioning when shipping. Cold temperatures can be harmful to tropical flowers like orchids, so when shipping to cold climates make sure your packaging is designed to protect the flowers from temperature variations during shipment.