Is it safe to ship in such cold weather?

[tfish]

I am having a very hard time finding quality plants at my LFSs. I have been surfing the net and have found some good deals. I am concerned though. I live in Northeast Ohio where recently we have considered anything above 32 degrees F a "heat wave"! (:mad: I need to move!) Is it safe to have plants shipped in such cold weather?

[djlen]

I live in Jersey....slightly more moderate, but recently very cold. I just got a few plants sent to me(overnight express) and they were cold, but uninjured. They were coming from Houston however, were the first part of the trip is usually relatively warm. My guess is that if you can keep the time within a day or so they should be ok. Many places ship fish at this time of year with few problems. I would not do fish, but plants should be ok.
Len

[Skittyfish]

I just got a shipment from Washington State, shipped Priority Service, it was very cold, but they all arrived ok and are doing well.

[odessa]

I just shipped some plants from Ut. to NC. priority mail. All arrived in great shape. It is betteer to ship when its cold than when it is hot, as long as they don't freeze they will be ok. The Post office does not keep your mail outdoors, Autually the mail spends very little time outside.

[Alastair]

I agree with Odessa. All of my suppliers have indicated that they have more problems shipping in summer than winter. If in doubt, its easy enough to throw a heat pack in with the plants. Most shippers will do this at your request for a nominal charge to cover the cost of the pack (i.e. $1 - $2 per heat pack).

[tfish]

Wow! Sounds great! Thank you for all of your reassurances!

Now does anyone have any places that they buy from that they would like to suggest?

Thanks again!

[Alex]

Tfish,

Have you tried RMS in the Cleveland area? http://www.rmsaquaculture.com While not a great supply they have some plants and they seem to be in good shape with good prices.

Alex

[carpguy]

I just ordered a bunch of crypts, to be sent from Oregon to NY. Before I ordered I emailed this very question to them. Their reply:

"In general, plants ship better in the winter. Heat kills, cold preserves."

I don't think freezing is particularly good for them, but I'm optimistic (they haven't shown up yet).

[odessa]

The best I've ordered from is http://www.aquabotanic.com/4saleplant.htm
I have ordered from others but the plants and the service was better at Aquabotanic.

[superstein61]

I too had no problems getting plants shipp to me in PA in the winter. You just need to be home to get them when the post office delivers them (so they are't left outside for many hours).

I have gotten tremendous Anubias plants from:

http://www.rehobothaquatics.com/index2.html

I would also suggest you check on aquabid for other highly rated sellers (both fellow hobbyists and professionals) - you can find some nice deals

[tyler]

it gets up to 32 there? i'd break out the shorts and t-shirt to celebrate that.

seriously though, a friend of mine had his liverock shipped a month ago or so and it came in good condition. granted there were two heat packs in the box, but i think plants should be a little less fragile than marine life. then again, i could just be an idiot.