Phrag shipped - below freezing

[The Mutant]

Okay, I ordered the Phrag. Jason Fischer and wrote a message on the order form, that they should NOT ship the Phrag this week, since we're getting temperatures below the freezing point here in Sweden (it's about time). Apparently, they never read the message as I got an email today with the shipping number.

So, is the Phrag going to survive this? So far, it looks like one day is going to be below freezing and probably what looks like a couple of hours for one night. This will most probably change during the week.

If I manage to get the plant before the weekend (I usually have it by Friday when ordering from Elsner), what should I think about? How should I treat it?


Extremely worried.

 

[Linus_Cello]

If they are a good vendor, it will hopefully be packed in a styrofoam container with a heat pack, so I would not worry.

 

[eOrchids]

Or they will hold the Phrag till warmer weather.

 

[The Mutant]

If they are a good vendor, it will hopefully be packed in a styrofoam container with a heat pack, so I would not worry.

Aah, I really hope you're right. It's a good vendor, so maybe she read my message, checked how cold it's estimated to get, and decided the Phrag would make it using a heat pack + Styrofoam container. I'll keep my fingers crossed that this is the case. Thank you so much for calming me down. Cyber cookies for you!

Or they will hold the Phrag till warmer weather.

It's already on its way, so nope. But thanks to Linus_Cello, I feel much calmer now.

 

[Secundino]

Usually Elsner does not ship whith low tº in n-germany. And the plants are well packed. One cold night won't kill the plant. Perhaps a bit of damage on inmature leaves, as ocurred with mine two years ago (begin of November).

On the other hand, I did have losses (Currlin) because of frost, when I believed they wouldn't deliver - since that, I never order when I expect low temps...

Fingers crossed then, nothing you can do but wait.

 

[Bjorn]

Do not worry, I have been ordring during all autumn this year. Finally, now I have a shipment stuck in customs, and during the christmas season, its really stuck! Its been there for more than a week, and seemingly they dont care if the plants are dead when I receive them. Envy you the absence of customs for shipments within EU! You do not know what kind of frustrations you miss Teresa! move to Norway and get crazy!! johooooo!

 

[The Mutant]

Usually Elsner does not ship whith low tº in n-germany. And the plants are well packed. One cold night won't kill the plant. Perhaps a bit of damage on inmaure leaves, as ocurred with mine two years ago (begin of November).

On the other hand, I do have had losses (Currlin) because of frost, when I believed they wouldn't deliver - since that, I never order when I expect low temps...

Fingers crossed then, nothing you can do but wait.

I was surprised that she had shipped it, but I hope you're right and that it'll make the trip relatively unharmed. The forecast has changed somewhat, and although there will still be one day with below freezing temperatures, it looks like it won't be as cold as was predicted earlier.

I'm going to keep my fingers crossed for the rest of the week!

 

[The Mutant]

Do not worry, I have been ordring during all autumn this year. Finally, now I have a shipment stuck in customs, and during the christmas season, its really stuck! Its been there for more than a week, and seemingly they dont care if the plants are dead when I receive them. Envy you the absence of customs for shipments within EU! You do not know what kind of frustrations you miss Teresa! move to Norway and get crazy!! johooooo!

God, I don't envy you at all. I would go crazy (harass customs at least twice a day) if that happened to me. I really hope you'll get you plants, since I guess they are quite something. Let's just say that for my very own selfish reasons, i.e. orchid hoarding, I like that Sweden is a member of the EU.

 

[Lmpgs]

Fingers crossed! I hope everything would be fine. My experience is that most trusted sellers use styrofoam and heat packs to avoid damage.

 

[PaphMadMan]

Modern package handling doesn't usually expose packages to extreme temperatures if things are going as they should. In my experience, the riskiest parts of the trip are usually before it gets to the facility where it is shipped and after it arrives in your area and is sent out for delivery. A responsible vendor who is used to shipping in winter will take it directly to the shipping facility. Do you have the option of having the delivery company hold the package at their facility for pick-up?

 

[The Mutant]

Modern package handling doesn't usually expose packages to extreme temperatures if things are going as they should. In my experience, the riskiest parts of the trip are usually before it gets to the facility where it is shipped and after it arrives in your area and is sent out for delivery. A responsible vendor who is used to shipping in winter will take it directly to the shipping facility. Do you have the option of having the delivery company hold the package at their facility for pick-up?

From what I can discern from the vendor's homepage, she sends the package "... if the weather conditions are acceptable. No Shipping if the weather is to cold or to hot", so I was counting on her not shipping. In other words, I don't think she usually sends packages in the winter, but I don't really know; it's the first time I've placed orders and had them shipped to me this late in the year.

The temperatures in Germany is okay, so the first part of the trip I'm not concerned about, it's when the package gets to Sweden that the temperature becomes an issue (I've calculated that the package will most likely be transported to my area during the coldest period).

I have no possibility to pick up the package, unfortunately, so even if they could hold it, it wouldn't do much.

 

[PaphMadMan]

Unless your package is completely without insulation, or the temperature is below -10C, or the package is left sitting in the cold for an hour + I doubt you will have a problem.

 

[abax]

Hold those good thoughts for me too. I've got Phrags. coming 2 day UPS
that should be here Wednesday...I hope. Temps. in KY are quite variable
this time of year.

 

[polyantha]

I was worried in the past too when I got orders in mid-december. The temps were under the freezing point both times. No heatpack, but in styrofoam and the plants didn't take any damage.

 

[Clark]

Almost three years ago I purchased half a plug tray of Angraecum sesquipedale. I think it was mid Jan, and freezing temps all week long.
Three didn't make it. So like 10% loss.
The others had a three month set back. Nothing happened in regards to growth, you would think they were made of plastic.

Hopefully you can meet the box carrier at the door. If the box is left on the ground for any length of time, the writing is on the wall....

 

[Secundino]

Strange, when I look at the weather forecast, there are no freezing tºs for south Sweden... must be that I'm looking through southern glasses, ar, googles! we've had a realy mild autumn up to now; windy and 'cold' and stormy and rainy, but nearly no freezing during nights (Spain, mainland, that is)...
Fingers crossed, still, I expect my package coming friday... hopefully.

 

[The Mutant]

Unless your package is completely without insulation, or the temperature is below -10C, or the package is left sitting in the cold for an hour + I doubt you will have a problem.

Isolation - I don't know, but I doubt it's without any.

The temperatures don't look as if they'll go below -4°C, so that's something at least. Oh, well. We'll see when I get the plant what it looks like. Not much to do but wait (and fret...).

Hold those good thoughts for me too. I've got Phrags. coming 2 day UPS
that should be here Wednesday...I hope. Temps. in KY are quite variable
this time of year.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed and ordering my cats to do the same.

My package will probably be here by Friday, I hope.

I was worried in the past too when I got orders in mid-december. The temps were under the freezing point both times. No heatpack, but in styrofoam and the plants didn't take any damage.

I hope this is what will happen to me, too.

Almost three years ago I purchased half a plug tray of Angraecum sesquipedale. I think it was mid Jan, and freezing temps all week long.
Three didn't make it. So like 10% loss.
The others had a three month set back. Nothing happened in regards to growth, you would think they were made of plastic.

Hopefully you can meet the box carrier at the door. If the box is left on the ground for any length of time, the writing is on the wall....

I live in an apartment, so the box won't be left on the ground by the delivery company. The package will either be delivered to my door, or it'll be delivered to the closest posting/package facility (don't know if this is the correct term for it).

Strange, when I look at the weather forecast, there are no freezing tºs for south Sweden... must be that I'm looking through southern glasses, ar, googles! we've had a realy mild autumn up to now; windy and 'cold' and stormy and rainy, but nearly no freezing during nights (Spain, mainland, that is)...
Fingers crossed, still, I expect my package coming friday... hopefully.

Well, if I lived in the southern parts of Sweden, I wouldn't have to worry. :wink: I live a bit further up north, however, where it will be below freezing.

We have had the same; unusually warm, but very, very rainy. I don't know how many flood warnings we've had these last couple of months, it's insane.

I'm hoping my package will be in my hands on Friday (preciousssss...) .

 

[Hamlet]

I'll receive an order from the same vendor tomorrow or on thursday. I'll let you know what kind of packaging they used.

 

[The Mutant]

I'll receive an order from the same vendor tomorrow or on thursday. I'll let you know what kind of packaging they used.

Thanks, that's really nice of you.

 

[Clark]

I lived in an apartment for many years.
I think you are golden.
yep