Orchids through the Mail in the USA
 

I have decided to down-size my collection some time this coming spring. Along the way, I have decided to focus on species Cattleyas, Phrags, and Paphs. That gives me about 25 orchids to re-home.

Are there specific sources that give the rules for sending orchids through the mail? I have seen some with an "orchid" sticker, some that say "live plants" and so on. Do I need to have a special state department paperwork or something? What do all these rules mean?

It's my understanding that if you're sending an orchid from a location within the Continental US to a location within the Continental US there is no issue. The only consideration to be made is to packing the plant so that the transit won't be a bad experience for it or the recipient. The reason to mark the box with FRAGILE, LIVE ORCHID, and other such things is in the hope that the mail carrier who brings boxes to your destinations isn't as inane as mine and so won't leave packages on top of the recipient mailboxes in full sun.

I guess I wonder what you will be re-homing?

Certain states are more restrictive than others but generally speaking there's no issue mailing plants within the US. CA, WA, and HI are among the stricter states.

Some states require inspection for certain pests, a quarantine or a phytosanitary certificate. Some states permit bare-root plants but not those in media. Best to check. Yes, lots of people ignore the laws, but that doesn't make it right.

I have too many cattleya seedlings and yes, some rescue phals that I would rather not fuss with any more. Most are doing well. The cattleyas are all from Carmelas in Hawaii. I would just like to put them in one big box and send them all to the same person or location. I was going to grow them out and sell them on Ebay, but I got sick with a life-threatening disease back in August, and am still too weak to do more than window sill orchid growing. Some have suffered, but just need a "rescuer," others are fine, and can be grown out and re-sold. Most have tags.

I am so sorry to hear that you are ill. I am sure you will have lots of takers and good homes...And, you'll be in my prayers.

AZ and CA are the big problems, so do not label the box as being plants if they're going there.

The key. Is preparation for the transit. Based upon my experience:

🔸water the daylights out of them the week before shipping.
🔸make sure they are dry.
🔸if they will be hot in transit, wrap the roots in damp sphagnum (or even paper towel), or slightly moisten the potting medium, if being shipped in-pot. If they will experience cool temperatures, roots and medium should be dry, and add a heat pack or two to the box.
🔸place a heavy layer of shredded paper, crumpled newspaper or paper towel on top of the medium, and tape to down onto the pot. Done right, the plant should not be movable in he medium.
🔸surround the plant with lots of shredded paper or Easter grass (should be lots out there now, or soon).
🔸wrap the entire thing in several layers of newspaper, folding over the end and taping it together.
🔸pack firmly in a box, leaving no dead space. Use foam peanuts to fill any and all voids.
🔸use a reliable carrier and 2-day service; assuming the weather in-transit is good.

Hello Optimist, I'm sorry to hear about your health problems, best wishes to you in that department. Just a suggestion, in case you don't want to mess with all the mailing: our local orchid society has, on occasion, offered help in this sort of situation, with the plants going locally to people who care about them.
Regards:waving

sorry about your illness! There are states, such as Georgia, where fire ants live. If your state is a fire ant state , there are restrictions on shipping to non-fire ant states. Your state agriculture agency can direct you to information on where, and how, you should ship.