When picking and packing plants, both plant and block require careful handling. The crop and roots should be damaged as little as possible. It is particularly important that cultivated plants with a decent root system under the block should not be pushed across a floor or table. Picking up the blocks is far safer for the roots. This requires just a little extra care.
Transporting plants involves a great deal of work. Not too cold, not too hot; not too dry, not too wet, not too long... So what should the process look like? Here’s a few guidelines:
- Outdoors 20-25°C: safely delivered throughout the day
- Outside < 20°C: a (pre-)heated car is required. Cover the delivery vehicle with foil
- Outdoors > 28°C: deliver and plant early in the morning or late in the evening.
- A conditioned lorry offers options for all circumstances.
- Transportation over long distances: plants retain more reserves to grow at lower temperatures.
- Upright plants: always good, but can be expensive.
- Plants laid down: pick up on the day of delivery, transport duration is limited. Blocks in this position release water more easily, which leads to a risk of drying out.
Growing a decent plant is one thing, keeping a plant in good condition during packing and transport is quite another. Here too, communication with the buyer is vital to ensure the plant gets a good start.