Fresh flowers are some of the world’s biggest exports and imports. If you grow flowers for export, you’ll know just how fragile and easily damaged they are. And shipping them requires a lot of care and skill. If you are rough with flowers, you might damage them and end up making losses in the process.The flowers must get to their destination but must maintain their “fresh from the farm” look: not easy to achieve! But don’t worry, it can be done. Stasher’s delivery service is experienced in sending flowers all around the world, and has a few tips to share with you. Here are a few things you can do to ensure that your flowers remain fresh during shipping.
Package Your Flowers Well
One of the main reasons flowers get damaged is the wrong packaging. When you’re sending your flowers on a long journey, they are at risk of bumping around and getting damaged if they are not well packed. If you have no idea how to package your flowers, then these pointers should come in handy!
Use the right box
The one thing that many people get wrong when it comes to shipping flowers is using the wrong box to pack their flowers. The best box to pack your flowers is a corrugated cardboard box. You can also wrap the flowers lightly in wrapping paper. This will help them to stay intact in transit.
Water the flowers before packing
Before you start packing up your flowers, take time to water them thoroughly. For safety reasons, you cannot transport the flowers while they are immersed in water. So watering them before you pack them will ensure that they stay fresh for longer.
Cut the stems
Sometimes, flower stems can be so long that the flowers themselves don’t fit in the boxes! To ensure that this is not an issue, you will have to cut the stems. Measure the length of each stem before cutting to ensure an even length. Additionally, make sure the flower petals do not touch the boxes’ edges as this could lead to damage.
Clamp the arrangement
This is a florists term for tying your flowers together. If flowers are left loose, movement during travel may lead to bruised petals and snapped stems. By clamping the flowers together using string, you can minimise this risk!
Protect the vase
In the case that you are transporting the flowers in a vase, ensure the vase has been secured with plenty of padding so it does not break during travel. Remember, for safety reasons the vase cannot contain any soil or water!
Label the boxes well
Ensure the boxes carrying the flowers have been appropriately labeled. It will come in handy when the flowers are being unpacked on the other side! Also, make sure you label which way is the right side up and write’ fragile’ on all sides of the box.
Finding the Right Shipping Company
To ensure that the flowers get to their destination in good time, you’ll want to use a fast and reliable shipping company. There are so many companies in the market to choose from, and knowing where to start can be confusing. Here’s a few factors to look out for when making your choice:
The company’s experience
A shipping company that has been in business for a long time will be more reliable and likely handle your flowers well.
Their reputation
No matter how long a company has been in business, remember to look at reviews left by previous customers. These customers are better placed to show you whether it is worth it to use the shipping company or not. Be wary of a company that receives a lot of complaints. In the case of shipping flowers, check especially for reviews about punctuality and timings as it is important flowers are delivered on time when they are still fresh.
Your intended destination
Not all shipping companies operate in all corners of the world. Check which countries a company covers to make sure they can ship your flowers to the destination you’re looking for. A company might have the best reviews in the world, but if they don’t deliver to your destination then they’re not much use to you.
The cost of shipping
Once you have narrowed down a list of shipping companies you would like to use, check the cost. Various companies will give you different quotes for shipping your flowers. Before you settle on a company, take time to compare their rates with other companies. Factors that will affect your shipping cost include the destination you are shipping the flowers to and the size and quantity of flowers you are sending.
Flowers are appreciated all around the world and a lovely thing to send, whether you are an individual or a business. Getting the right shipping is absolutely key to ensuring your flowers are delivered on time and damage-free. Bad shipping can be rough on the flowers and not only damage their appearance but leave them unfit for sale. A small mistake like mishandling flowers could cost you a lot of money. Getting a company that understands just how much is on the line will go a long way in ensuring your flowers are treated with the utmost care at every step of the delivery process.
Shipping with a trustworthy company like stasher.com will guarantee you safe shipping. Contact them today for all your flower shipping needs!
