Categories: Flower Gardens

Shipping Real Flowers

Shipping flowers across the United States can be done with careful preparation and packing of the flowers. To ship real flowers you must be familiar with the packing and shipping methods of your chosen carrier to ensure the flowers arrive in good condition. While international shipping is available, many retailers avoid it and recommend against it because of cost and agriculture regulations.

Preparing the Flowers for Shipping

Cut the stems of your flowers at the base at an angle with garden sheers. Hold the stem near the base of the flower itself to keep the flower upright. Collect each flower as you cut. Cutting at an angle will allow the flower to take in moisture and remain fresh longer.

Lay out three sheets of newspaper on your work surface. Dampen the newspaper with the watering can to where the paper is wet, but not soaked. You don’t want the paper dripping because this will cause the flower stems to rot from excess moisture.

Wrapping the Flowers for Shipping

Lay three to four flowers on the newspaper so that the ends are facing one corner of the page. Move the flowers so the stems are ® onto the paper. The flower heads should be sticking out at the opposite corner of the paper.

Roll the newspaper around the stems loosely. Keep the paper loose so the stems are not retaining moisture and begin to rot within the newspaper. Fold up the bottom of the newspaper into the roll as you get to the other side.

Place the wrapped flowers in a plastic grocery bag so that the flower heads are sticking out of the bag. Wrap the bag around the flowers so that it holds the flower stems but does not press them together. Open another plastic grocery bag. Place the flower heads upside down into the bottom of the bag. Turn the flowers upright inside the bag and wrap the second bag loosely so you do not crush the flowers.

Repeat the previous step twice more so you have the flowers well protected. Keep the bags loose enough so you don’t crush the flowers.

Packing the Flowers for Shipping

Lay the flowers onto the corrugated insert. Tie the flowers to the insert with string so they do not move. Put the insert into the box with the flowers facing up. If you are packing more than one bunch of flowers proceed to the next step.

Alternate groups of flowers if you are shipping more than one bunch per box. This uses space efficiently and keeps the weight of the flowers from crushing the flowers below them. Use foam or packing peanuts around the bunches if you ship real flowers during colder months to keep them from freezing.

Place the packing slip on top of the last bunch. Close and seal the box with packing tape. Tape the top of the box in an ‚”H” formation so that all seams are sealed. Put the shipping label on the top of the box so the delivery people can tell which end is ‚”up”.

Try to ship in the beginning of the week so the package doesn’t sit over the weekend. Pack the flowers to travel for up to 30 hours. Ship flowers using Overnight or Express service. If you ship from or to Hawaii, be aware that there may be a delay of one day while the flowers pass through California Agriculture inspection.

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