snowbird transport

[lafayette52]

Hi I am a new member and need to bring my orchids from fl to nh by car. We will be on the road for more than a week. What should I do. Thanks

[pikevi]

Hello lafayette52 , Welcome to the forum.

I assume NH is New Hampshire? If it is , the distance is only about 1800km (1200 miles). May be two days travel?

You did not mention about the number of plants.

I am not very experienced but I think you could just take them with you but should keep them inside the car( as passengers!)

[lafayette52]

We will be stopping at friends and family and will not go straight through so shoulf I wrap them with newspaper and completely cover them or leave them exposed.

[Vivienne]

how many orchids are we talking about? Sizes? Types?

[pikevi]

How many days in all? and how many plants?

I think as long as the plants are not left inside the locked car or left inside the car overnight [I think Connecticut temp. was around 14C (55F) today: NH is close]. I am sure it will warm up when you travel.

I am in Canada but have been to Conn. and many other states. It isbetter for you to wait for someone from NY, NJ, CT or some SE states to advice you.

[pikevi]

There you go!!

The right person to advise you, lafayette52. You are in good hands.

[fred]

how many orchids ase we talking about ?

I would get some cardboad boxes and pack the plants in with screwed up news paper to hold the plants and to stop the plants from moving.

I have seen thousands of orchids done that way.

[lafayette52]

Thanks for all the advice. I have 6 plants. The 2 phalenopsis are in bloom. One is a 6" pot and the other is a 3". The other 4 are 3 and 4" cats and are not in bloom. I think that giving them a good drink, doing the newspaper and bringing them in from the cat at night will be the best. I have just started growing them within the past month and would hate to do the wrong thing. I thank you all for the help and look forward to getting more advice. I hope that I can find another orchid enthusiast in my area of NH. Laura

[Vivienne]

Laura - that sounds like a perfect plan. I guess the only thing I would add is about watching the temp in the car during the day if you stop for lunch. Leave the window open if needed. Perhaps bring along a spray bottle and mist them every now and then.

Let us know how you all make out. Save travels for all!

[jerrymeola]

I have had this question asked constantly since Fort Myers is Snowbird country.

Both methods work well. One consideration in choosing, is whether a pet is traveling. Another is the amount of room in the auto.

Breakage is an issue with carrying them in open boxes. If there is no pet to increase the risk than you should be able to judge if breakage is a risk.

Wrapping in newspaper is necessary for large quantities or space issues. I wrap my 3-4 foot Oncidium for shows since I can get 20 easyily into a box where exposed they are always breaking the flower stems. This does not seem to be an issue for you.

Pack with enough material either loose or wrapped to prevent the plants from moving in the container. Breakage is really your biggest problem.

As for the trip heat is the factor. Threat the plants like a pet. You would not leave it for long periods. Lunch is not long and if a window is left cracked the plants can take several hours of mid day heat. Keep in mind that glass can concentrate the heat on a plant in a parked car. Even a single sheet of newspaper over the top will do a lot to protect them while you eat.

Bring them inside when you stop for any length of time. In hot summer you probably need to bring them into hotels with you, although, a night in the car is usually not a problem. When I go to shows I pack my trailer as much as two days earlier and park in the shade. I left a large Oncidium in the trailer for three weeks once and did not even lose the flower buds.

It is close to 90 degrees and I have had 100 plants in the car since yesterday morning and they will be there until 6 tonight.

Order some nice New England weather for me. My wife and I are going to Maine for the 4th of July week.