When Denver, Colorado representative Alan Squier visited, he learned by packing his own
tree. The principles and techniques are logical and the system has been consistently
successful in getting small, large, and multiple-plant shipments nationally and
internationally.
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CUSHION
& SECURE THE TREE. For a larger bonsai, make a wood pallet that
will just fit into your cardboard carton. This tree is about 27" high and
38" wide in a 27"x22" oval tray and including a black wood fiberglassed
tray-stand and turntable. On a sheet of plastic, build a 3" to 4" thick layer of
crumpled newspaper. Set the tray on it and cover the soil surface with additional crumpled
newspaper. Fold the plastic film firmly and using monofilament tape, secure it
compactly. Strap the tree firmly to the wood pallet. |
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INSULATE THE FOLIAGE. Several sheets of newspaper were joined together
by folding and stapling the ends and secured around the tree. Other newspaper went
over the top and the entire foliage crown of the tree was secured. When shipping a smaller
bonsai or several smaller plants, first cut a cardboard to fit the bottom of your shipping
carton. Cushion the bottom, wrap the foliage in newspaper, then slip the tree into a
polybag to hold moisture. Choke up the polybag around the pot, then strap the
bonsai(s) to the cardboard filler. |
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ADD MORE INSULATION. Foam sheet insulation is wrapped and secured by
stapling and taping. Additional crumpled paper fills out low spots and another layer
of newspaper further protected the foliage. In shipping, if the plant is well secured, the
greatest danger is from heat and cold. Air is the best insulator and by trapping
several layers of air, the plant will arrive at its destination before heat or cold
can penetrate the packaging. |
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SECURE
THE PALLET TO THE CARTON. In this case, the shipping carton had been
premade with the pallet to serve as the bottom of the carton. Fuku-Bonsai senior
plant manager Michael Imaino simply stapled the sides to the pallet base and closed up the
top. Larger sheets of 200 pound test cardboard can be cut and scored to make custom
cartons. Because of the higher value of this tree, starting from another corner, a second
overlapping cardboard layer was added to create solid protection. All corners and staples
were covered with plastic wrapping tape and the certification inspection stamps applied.
In shipping, cartons are often tumbled or sent on its side regardless of "this side
up" signs. |
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CONSIGN TO A CARRIER. Federal Express has scheduled pick-ups at the nursery
on four days per week. By 2nd Day Air, plants sent on Monday from Hawaii will be
delivered to addresses in the western United States on Wednesday and to the rest of the
country on Thursday. The shipment can be tracked and if delivery is late, the
shipment is free. When requested, we email the tracking number and information on how to
track the shipment as some customers enjoy following the shipment. Customers have
ordered special occasion gift plants even during freezing weather and our One-Call FedEx
representative has arranged for them to pick up the plants at their local FedEx station. |
| Photo from Alan |
UNPACKING. Alan
got home before his plant. He slit the corners of the carton to get access to the tapes,
then removed each insulating layer of packing material. The well secure plant arrived in
perfect condition and unpacking was just the reverse of packing.
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SMILE! As
professionals develop increasing skill in packing bonsai, shipping bonsai (even in
expensive pots) has become routine. We've found that securing the bonsai to the shipping
container has been more successful and with far less damage than filling the carton with
styrofoam-type "packaging peanuts."
Here's a photo of how the plant looks like in Septemaber 2005! |