Warm packs, etc for shipping during winter

14 years ago

I need to send some bulbs to a lister near Boston, but of course wanted to wait until they were dormant and now it's frozen in that part of the US and probably will be for months. Someone suggested that I use warming packs. I am willing to send priority FedEx, but even something sent overnight could freeze. Can anyone advise?

I was thinking thick wrap of insulated wrap, in a styrofoam box nestled within a cardboard box. But...don't want to take any chances with such a precious cargo.

Thanks in advance!

Kristi

Comments (4)

Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)
14 years ago
Do you know anyone who is driving or flying that way?
Pat z6 MI
14 years ago
Kristi, I just received a "Germa"(tropical) from EdenBlooms and the way it was packed was wonderful. Germa was wrapped in Saran-type warp, inside a paper bag, inside a solid and thick polystyrene-type sheet, inside a small cardboard box. It was sent USPS instead of UPS because my postman delivers to my door when a box says "Do Not Freeze," and it was sent so that it wouldn't sit on some truck over the weekend. The bulb was WARM when I opened it up and it is 20 degrees here. Eden would have kept the bulb until Spring, but I couldn't wait, so asked them to send it. This will be my first go-to mailorder company from now on. (You can read about old, yellow "Germa" on the Emaryllis website if you were interested.)
Pat
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rebecca47
14 years ago
Using the USPS and Priority mail with the packed clearly marked as fragile! DO NOT FREEZE!and wrapping as Aaron does (Edens Blooms) is perhaps the better way to go. I would even go so far as to also pack in lots of crumpled paper and do a box in a box - say a smaller box saved from wherever and then the outer USPS Priority Mail box. Keep an eye of 5-day forecast and ship when temps are closer to 30-35 daytime. You can find good forecasts at www.accuweather.com, they even had a little gadget you can add to your home page and program it to "watch" weather in several locations.

OH! and don't forget the bubble wrap along with the foam wrap. I doubt one of the heat pillows would stay warm enough long enough and then you also risk keeping one area too warm. Cool and dry is always better.

I've gotten bulbs from Arron as well as a CA firm during cold weather and they were all fine and they did come the same day - somewhere between 20 and 25 and the mail man knocked!
jodik_gw
14 years ago
I, too, would suggest using USPS Priority Mail or Next Day Air... and pay the extra dollar and change for a delivery confirmation!

Write DO NOT FREEZE - LIVE PLANTS on the box, and you shouldn't have any problems.

The Post Office is very good about getting Next Day Air and Priority packages to their destinations on time... especially if they have Delivery Confirmations. I've never had a problem.

I haven't sent or received a package with warm packs yet... I think if the delivery is fast enough, they're not really necessary. The key is making sure the person at the destination can accept the package as soon as it arrives!

We always track our packages online... I always send things so that a tracking number is part of the deal. I rarely use regular mail... always Priority or Next Day Air w/delivery confirmation.

The bottom line is... it's winter in half the country right now... and anything CAN happen. Packages do get lost or delayed, or end up in strange hubs for redistribution and shipping... it's always best to wait until the weather is mild... but if you can't, it's best to pay for the fastest shipping method.

And make certain to coordinate with the recipient so they're home when the package arrives! It's usually through sitting on a cold porch or in a cold mailbox that plants freeze... or in the case of summer, bake!

Sending surprise packages of live items in inclement weather is not the smartest thing to do. Let common sense be your guide!

Warm packs, etc for shipping during winter

Comments (4)

Carol love_the_yard (Zone 9A Jacksonville, FL)

Pat z6 MI

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rebecca47

jodik_gw

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