Posting plants to a friend

[OllieTY]

Hi folks!

I am over the moon that a friend have mine has decided to delve into a planted shrimp tank, and I'd love to bolster his plant selection with a load of my own. I have a mix of hairgrass, stem plants and also some rhizome plants. I was thinking of getting some sample pots from work to send them in, maybe with some wet paper towel around the grass and stem plants?

Anyone got a better solution?

 

[hypnogogia]

No need to out them in pots. In plastic bags with a bit of damp tissue around the roots and taped to stop water escaping, and then in a small box that can be sent as a letter.

 

[Atragene]

Make sure you use a box I have had plants sent in a padded envelope which has been squashed and has obviously gone through some sort of roller in postal system. Make sure box is small enough to put through letterbox. Several hours in the hot sun is not a good idea after all your trouble.

 

[Wookii]

You specifically want C4 and C5 boxes, and these are to the Royal Mail large Letter specs, and can be sent using a large letter first or second class stamp (as long as they are within the weight limits), and put in a post box.

For the inner bag you want the freezer type bags with a sealing strip at the top - there are compostable options available too if you want to minimise the plastic waste.

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Make sure you use a box I have had plants sent in a padded envelope which has been squashed and has obviously gone through some sort of roller in postal system.

I use a 2nd hand take-away container, inside a sealed bag, inside a padded envelope, all sealed with a lot of duct tape. You can send it from any PO as a "small parcel", and that is still less than £5 first class.

In plastic bags with a bit of damp tissue around the roots

I use some moss (<"I always have plenty">) and this works for <"Asellus, Lumbriculus and Crangonyx">, as well.

cheers Darrel

 

[G H Nelson]

The biggest tips I can give!
The plants should be moist without any excess water retained in the bag!
No wet Kitchen Towel is needed.....this adds more weight and extra postage fee.
I also blow/exhale into the bag to provide an inflated cushion helping to prevent the plants from getting damaged in the box!
I also tape the bag to the inside of the box, so the bag doesn't move about in transport.

Large Letter Boxes mentioned are a must for despatching plants...I've sent hundreds of plant/boxes by Royal Mail.
I wouldn't use anyone else!

 

[OllieTY]

Thanks for the hints guys, I used a small flat box and bagged the plants and snails up, and everything arrived in great condition 🙂

Hopefully its the start of another hobbyist's journey!