Shipping Small Plants and Seeds

Small Plants

Small plants are easily shipped in paper or small foil pots, or by removing them from their original pot and wrapping the root ball in foil. The plant is then placed in a cellophane or plastic bag, and wrapped lightly with newspaper. Thus packaged, it will reach its destination in sound condition. Some growers ship small plants in pots placed in the protection of snug-fitting, divided paper cartons. These are available from supply houses. The pot may fit the carton so tightly it will not be necessary to give it other support. If it appears somewhat smaller than the inside of the carton, wrap a few thicknesses of newspaper around the bottom of the pot and slip it into the carton. Ship large plants in the original pots or remove them and place plants in plastic or paper pots. Pack the pots tightly so plants won’t wiggle and break.

Several thicknesses of newspaper, excelsior, or shredded paper can be placed on the bottom of the box to absorb shock and keep plants from moving around in the carton. If there’s space at the top after placing the plants, it’s a good idea to put some more paper or other shock absorber on top of the plants. Depending on the type of carton, it may be wise to label it “This End Up.”

Seeds

Seeds are, of course, easiest of all to mail. I put small seeds first in an oblong packet made of tough tissue paper, somewhat like cigarette paper. These little sheets can be purchased at a stationery store for about 10 cents a hundred. Place the seeds in the center of the paper, make the first fold by bringing the bottom edge up to meet the top edge, and folding the edges together. Fold the ends on an angle so the complete fold is triangular. These packages are then put into small envelopes, which are labeled. Finally I slip the seed envelope into a regular envelope for mailing. This is the label form I follow:

100 African Violet Seeds (Year harvested)

(Name of variety, species, or mixture)

Large seeds, like those of amaryllis or haemanthus, can be placed in a small envelope with a bit of cotton to act as buffer.

Daylily or iris seeds-usually sold in lots of 50 or 100-can likewise be placed in an envelope. Or if you have “slide” boxes from the photographer’s, they make excellent containers for these seeds. Simply place a piece of cotton on the bottom of the box, dump in the seeds, and place another strip of cotton over them.

Tags: home greenhouse

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