Phrag shipped - below freezing

[The Mutant]

Luckily, it looks like the milder temperatures will travel along with my Phrag. It's cold today, but that's okay because the package is in the south of Sweden, were it's still above freezing. I'm feeling much calmer now.

 

[Hamlet]

Luckily, it looks like the milder temperatures will travel along with my Phrag. It's cold today, but that's okay because the package is in the south of Sweden, were it's still above freezing. I'm feeling much calmer now.

That's great!

I didn't get my order today. Tomorrow the package will be in transit for four days already. I've never had a package take this long to get delivered within Germany before. Guess that's what I get for ordering plants so shortly before Christmas! DHL must be very busy this time of year. At least temperatures are very mild here at the moment, between 10-12 °C at night.

 

[The Mutant]

That's great!

I didn't get my order today. Tomorrow the package will be in transit for four days already. I've never had a package take this long to get delivered within Germany before. Guess that's what I get for ordering plants so shortly before Christmas! DHL must be very busy this time of year. At least temperatures are very mild here at the moment, between 10-12 °C at night.

Yup, and now I can tell you that she uses heatpacks and Styrofoam, because I got my little Phrag Jason Fischer today.

That's crazy though, isn't it? I get my package before you do, and I live further away.

 

[Bjorn]

And here is my story: 5 venustums from Thailand, took 4days to reach CUSTOMS. Then since I was away, it took another 3days for me to convey the right paperwork (import release, is not given before the plants have arrived) so now its 7 days. Then NOTHING except for 4-5calls to these pepole including Post and Customs trying to make them actually DO something. Remember all papers are correct and in their posession. Lately, after daily calls, I see that it has moved and its possible (but only possible) that I have them today and not on Monday. So, al in all; two weeks plus out of which 1.5weeks in Norway. Sometimes I think they have a Hate-list on which I am. The reason was probably the hilariously bad timing. Never, ever, order plants during the X-mas traffic!

 

[Bjorn]

Update: Now it seems as if I will not get them until Monday. Lets hope they are surviving that long journey!

 

[The Mutant]

And here is my story: 5 venustums from Thailand, took 4days to reach CUSTOMS. Then since I was away, it took another 3days for me to convey the right paperwork (import release, is not given before the plants have arrived) so now its 7 days. Then NOTHING except for 4-5calls to these pepole including Post and Customs trying to make them actually DO something. Remember all papers are correct and in their posession. Lately, after daily calls, I see that it has moved and its possible (but only possible) that I have them today and not on Monday. So, al in all; two weeks plus out of which 1.5weeks in Norway. Sometimes I think they have a Hate-list on which I am. The reason was probably the hilariously bad timing. Never, ever, order plants during the X-mas traffic!

Update: Now it seems as if I will not get them until Monday. Lets hope they are surviving that long journey!

That sounds like a nightmare! I was worried that my Phrag would also get stuck in Christmas traffic, but I was really lucky!

I'll go and sacrifice some fertilizer to the great Paph god and then I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that they all at least survive the trip.

 

[Bjorn]

Keep calm!:fight: normally its surviving! But might be an idea to stay off christmas

 

[Secundino]

What are you complaining for? Ten to fifteen days is usual for any delivery for me...

Imagine how long my Paph. Honey travelled from Thailand to Europe, to Spain mainland, somewhere, back to Madrid, then, finally, to the isles... It's growing well.

Paph. Santa C(ruz), didn't arrive at santaclaus; it may now be nearer to 'reyes', the three kings... have always been slow at feet!:rollhappy:

 

[Bjorn]

Its not so much the total time, although seven to ten days is more common, but the fact that it has been lying around waiting for someone to do something for a full week although I did my best in speeding it up. And I am normally quite successful with that....now its gonna be 17days or so. If it was a cattleya no problems, but rot is always an issue with paphs on long journeys.
But at least its coming.....
Btw. I have to go through these things every time I buy an orchid, as there are no domestic dealers and we are not members of the EU, unfortunately.

 

[Hamlet]

Yup, and now I can tell you that she uses heatpacks and Styrofoam, because I got my little Phrag Jason Fischer today.

That's crazy though, isn't it? I get my package before you do, and I live further away.

Congrats on your new Phrag.!

I finally got my package today. Excellent packaging and strong, vigorous plants and one is even in bud, despite it being described as NBS only! Though I doubt the bud will survive after four days in the cold. But that was the Christmas traffic effect I guess.

It is crazy, yes, that a package gets delivered faster from Germany to Sweden than simply within Germany...

What are you complaining for? Ten to fifteen days is usual for any delivery for me...

Imagine how long my Paph. Honey travelled from Thailand to Europe, to Spain mainland, somewhere, back to Madrid, then, finally, to the isles... It's growing well.

Paph. Santa C(ruz), didn't arrive at santaclaus; it may now be nearer to 'reyes', the three kings... have always been slow at feet!:rollhappy:

Well, when you're used to one day deliveries, a week is a totally different thing. But it's probably too much complaining, you're right

Its not so much the total time, although seven to ten days is more common, but the fact that it has been lying around waiting for someone to do something for a full week although I did my best in speeding it up. And I am normally quite successful with that....now its gonna be 17days or so. If it was a cattleya no problems, but rot is always an issue with paphs on long journeys.
But at least its coming.....
Btw. I have to go through these things every time I buy an orchid, as there are no domestic dealers and we are not members of the EU, unfortunately.

Having no domestic dealers sounds like a pain, I guess I'm luckier than I thought here in Germany. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your venustums to arrive healthily. Customs can take forever here as well, which is one reason why I've never ordered plants from overseas before. If I order a book from abroad it sits in customs here for a week or longer, I don't want to take that chance with live plants.

 

[The Mutant]

Congrats on your new Phrag.!

I finally got my package today. Excellent packaging and strong, vigorous plants and one is even in bud, despite it being described as NBS only! Though I doubt the bud will survive after four days in the cold. But that was the Christmas traffic effect I guess.

It is crazy, yes, that a package gets delivered faster from Germany to Sweden than simply within Germany...



Well, when you're used to one day deliveries, a week is a totally different thing. But it's probably too much complaining, you're right



Having no domestic dealers sounds like a pain, I guess I'm luckier than I thought here in Germany. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your venustums to arrive healthily. Customs can take forever here as well, which is one reason why I've never ordered plants from overseas before. If I order a book from abroad it sits in customs here for a week or longer, I don't want to take that chance with live plants.

Thank you! Unfortunately, mine has flowered already, and the oldest growth looks rather abused (it was described as an imported plant on the website, so I think the damage wasn't caused at Elsner's). It has a new, healthy looking growth emerging and the root system is okay and with some new root growth.

I hope I'll be able to care for this hybrid now, and that I haven't bitten off more than I can chew. :rollhappy:

We have a right to complain compared to Secun! He lives in Spain, while we live in the coldish North! The consequences of delayed shipments etc during this time of year, are quite different between Spain and Norway/Sweden. oke:

 

[abax]

I've decided after reading all the delayed shipping posts that I just might
wait until spring to pick out my gift certificate plants. I get close to
hysteria when a pkg. takes more than three days.

 

[Lmpgs]

One major problem many europeans face is the Dhl Mail services. Sellers think they ship by airways and packages are travelling by truck. Normal shipping to Athens, GR by Dhl Mail takes about 7 to 10 days. Normal shipping by Deutsche Post takes 3-5 days.

 

[Secundino]

:wink: Right you are, Mutant! Yesterday I finally got - the tracking number. So, if that toy is working, the plants are still stuck in Madrid. That is 'cold north' - isn't it??oke:
I love the light I've over here, indeed, but I always grow green with envy when I see the mosses prosper in Björn pics... good water is rather rare over here.
OK then, waiting till Monday. :drool:

 

[The Mutant]

I've decided after reading all the delayed shipping posts that I just might
wait until spring to pick out my gift certificate plants. I get close to
hysteria when a pkg. takes more than three days.

I think that's a very wise decision. I'm also an anxious package recipient, especially when it comes to orchids.

One major problem many europeans face is the Dhl Mail services. Sellers think they ship by airways and packages are travelling by truck. Normal shipping to Athens, GR by Dhl Mail takes about 7 to 10 days. Normal shipping by Deutsche Post takes 3-5 days.

That's interesting, because both Schwerter and Elsner use DHL and their deliveries to Sweden normally takes 3-5 days. Maybe that's because by comparison, it's closer to Sweden than Greece from Germany?

:wink: Right you are, Mutant! Yesterday I finally got - the tracking number. So, if that toy is working, the plants are still stuck in Madrid. That is 'cold north' - isn't it??oke:
I love the light I've over here, indeed, but I always grow green with envy when I see the mosses prosper in Björn pics... good water is rather rare over here.
OK then, waiting till Monday. :drool:

Suuuure, Madrid is now the 'cold north'. oke:
I envy you the light, because Sweden during this time of year, especially without any snow, is really dark... I don't envy you the summers though.

 

[abax]

I envy anyone who lives some place warm! I hate winter.

 

[The Mutant]

I envy anyone who lives some place warm! I hate winter.

I like winter, no problems with the temperatures (can't stand heat, though), but I don't like the darkness...

 

[bullsie]

I like winter, no problems with the temperatures (can't stand heat, though), but I don't like the darkness...

I have to agree! No matter how cold or snowy it gets here, that sun comes out and everything is wonderful!

 

[PaphMadMan]

I like winter, no problems with the temperatures (can't stand heat, though), but I don't like the darkness...

I agree completely. But the darkness begins to decrease in the northern hemisphere now. Happy Solstice, everyone!

 

[Secundino]

YEP!!!! Longest night - happy solstice, too!!:drool: