You need to plan ahead a little, at least to have the necessary supplies on hand. These include a box large enough to accommodate the inflorescence with plenty of room to spare, so that packing (and possibly insulating) materials can be added. You also want some "water-piks" -- these are the florist's tubes to hold water. You want the ones with a sharp, pointed base so the tube can be pushed firmly into some sort of styrofoam or similar material. Also have on hand packing "peanuts" and plenty of cotton wads (some people used finely shredded wax paper; we use cotton)
This may sound obvious, but of course you also need to decide which judging center you're sending flowers to, when they meet, to whom you should ship, etc.
The inflorescence should spend as little time as possible in the box. For us, this means cutting and packing as close as possible to the time when FedEx will pick it up, and using overnight (next day) service.
Prepare the box: if possible, line it with styrofoam insulating (half-inch thickness is OK, more if you have it and the box allows), and have a thicker piece in the bottom, or a block into which you can push the "water-pik".
Have a container of warm water with you when you cut the infloresence -- a cup, glass or vase, whatever will hold the stem comfortably. Use a very sharp blade (sterilized) to cut the inflorescence on an angle, and immediately put the cut end of the stem into the warm water.
You can use one of the florist products for extending the life of a cut flower, or you can just use some non-diet lemon-lime soda (Sprite, 7-Up, etc.), about 20% or so of the water in the tube. Fill the tube to the brim and attach the cap. Push the floral stem into the cap (a little water will spurt out, which is what you want. The tube must be completely full).
Stick the sharp end of the tube into the foam in the box. Gently pack the flower with loose pieces of the cotton, and fill the box with "peanuts". Gently shake the box as you fill it, so the peanuts settle. The peanuts should completely fill the box; don't leave any space, you don't want them to move around.
Seal the box and ship by the fastest method. We always contact the judging center ahead to let them know a box is coming.
Julie
R.F. Orchids
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