[PL] How to pack potted flowers for shipping?

More and more plant lovers at home are choosing to order potted flowers online. Online garden shops follow certain rules. In order to satisfy their customers, they take care of the best possible packaging and protection of the potted flower parcel. On which day is it best to send the plants? How are potted flowers packed for shipping?

Why is it worth buying potted flowers online?

The most important advantage of buying plants online is convenience. Nature lovers do not have to drive from one garden shop to another. Surprisingly, transporting plants by car can be worse than sending potted flowers by courier. This is because in the former case the plants are usually not protected by anything – all it takes is one sharp turn to knock the flower off the seat. When it comes to professional shipping, here everything has been arranged so that the potted plant is completely protected (e.g. from mechanical damage, moisture, extreme temperatures).

It is worth mentioning that horticultural online shops usually boast an impressive selection of potted plants – from basic species (zamiokulkas, cactus, succulents) to large flowers (palm, dracaena, strelitzia).

How do I pack potted flowers for shipping?

Before you send your potted flowers, you need to prepare them properly. Afitted, strong, sturdy cardboard box is a must – it has to hold both the plant and the pot. Twigs or flowers must not be crushed, so there must be at least a few centimetres of space between them and the walls of the box. To avoid shifting or damaging the plant during transport, the pot should be securely fastened to the bottom of the cardboard box (e.g. with plastic tapes, double-sided tapes).

A rather pronounced problem can be soil spilling out of the pot. There is a solution to this. It is sufficient to protect the pot in advance with a plastic bag or bubble wrap. The slippery and airtight layer will prevent soil from spilling out during transport.

If you are afraid that – during the relatively long journey – your potted plant will lose moisture and wilt, you can moisten the soil and wrap the pot in foil before shipping. This will prolong the effect of the moisture on the flower.

Youshould also not forget the so-called potting fillers, e.g. air cushions, flopac, skropac, foam chips. These limit the movement of the pot during transport.

Another useful accessory when shipping potted plants is stretch film, which surrounds the sealed cardboard box. It protects the contents of the shipment from moisture, dust, dirt and UV radiation.

How do I protect the potted flower arrangement during shipping?

When packing your potted flowers in a cardboard box, you must remember to place a “Top/Bottom” warning label on the box (this is the final stage), telling the courier and sorters where the top of the plant is and where the bottom is. This way, you can expect that the parcel will not – even inadvertently – be turned upside down (this could result in complete damage to the flower, soil spilling out of the pot, destroying the pot).

Other ways to keep the package with the potted plant in the right orientation is to draw an arrow indicating how the cardboard box should be positioned. You can also leave some of the product unpackaged – a risky venture, however, as the protection of the flower for the journey will be incomplete.

Other warning labels worth sticking on the package with the potted plant are ‘Do not throw’, ‘Caution’, ‘Fragile’. It is a good idea to write on the carton the slogan: “attention potted plant”. This will send a clear signal to the courier as to what exactly is in the parcel.

Remember to take extra care to protect the pot (especially with delicate, ceramic models). A good way to do this is to surround it several times with airtight bubble wrap.

Other rules for shipping potted flowers

Properly packing and securing a shipment of potted flowers is not enough. You must remember that courier companies have specific rules regarding the weight and size of packages. If the potted plant you are transporting is extremely heavy and large, you will most likely need to send it on a pallet. The standard dimensions of a wooden pallet (also known as a Euro pallet) are 120 x 80 cm.

The permissible height and weight of the parcel depends on the respective carrier. However, the height is usually between 180 and 200 cm and the weight between 700 and even 1,000 kg.

When is the best time to send flowers in a pot?

If you decide to send potted flowers, you need to plan the timing carefully. Shipments with live plants should be sent during the week. However, avoid shipping just before a weekend or a day off (this is when the parcel spends more time in sorting and storage facilities and the flower may therefore wilt).

What are potted flowers exposed to during shipping?

Potted flowers – as well as cut flowers, artificial flowers, and also seeds, bulbs and plant cuttings – are exposed to a lot of unpleasantness during transport to another location. They should be packed in such a way as to protect them from the most common hazards, e.g. mechanical and chemical damage, extreme temperatures, moisture (not only in the form of water, but also in the air). A strong and sturdy cardboard box and accessories are also intended to prevent the negative effects of external factors (rain, strong wind, UV radiation).

The shipping of potted flowers must be as fast as possible. The sooner it reaches the addressee, the greater the chance that the plant will be unharmed during the journey. If shipped too long, the flowers (in any form) could be irreparably damaged.

How to protect potted flowers from extreme temperatures?

Exposureto low and high temperatures (varying over a short period of time) can have a detrimental effect on the potted flowers in your shipment. It is advisable to protect yourself against these negative effects. How can you do this on your own? Well, anyone sending a parcel can use packing materials (bubble wrap, air cushions). We are talking about so-called parcel fillers – especially those that contain a layer of air in them. They form an airtight thermal barrier. They perfectly insulate the contents of the parcel against external temperature changes.

Another type of parcel filler – in the form of characteristic plastic foams – also has thermal insulating properties. We are talking about flopak, skropak, among others. In this case, the barrier to extreme temperatures is formed by the air left in the voids. Plastic, foam packet fillers absorb shocks very well. It is virtually impossible for the contents they protect to be damaged.

There is also a third option, which already involves the courier company or private individuals transporting potted plants. Delicate flowers can be transported in a suitable, adapted vehicle or special packaging (e.g. a cold store, where conditions are ideal for potted plants).

Shipping of potted flowers – only at RAJA

RAJA has a very extensive assortment. Here you will find everything you need to pack and protect your potted plants before shipping. Interested parties can choose from various types of cardboard boxes – alternatives to the traditional flap cardboard boxes are cardboard boxes with automatic bottoms, height-adjustable cardboard boxes. When it comes to the necessary extras (including parcel fillers), you will not be disappointed either. The best protection for potted flowers will be bubble wrap, packing paper, packing tapes, warning labels.