Moving orchids - things to consider

It is possible to move orchids long distances. Our orchids have been moved multiple times — twice all the way across the USA. However, before you start packing your orchids, you should know that although it is possible to relocate with orchids, it is neither stress-free nor cheap. Based on our discussions before the move and the difficulties we experienced along the way, there are several things I recommend considering before you start shoving your orchids into boxes.

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Myhi in the sunroomWith 300 orchids to move, we had a lot of decisions to make. This photo displays a small portion of our sun room in North Carolina.

display bigger photo (~600 px wide; 143 KB).

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Moving orchids - things to consider (continued from top)

Consider your health and your wallet

  • Perhaps the most important question is, do you have enough energy and strength to prepare, pack, carry, drive, unpack and set up your collection of orchids? If you cannot do it alone, is there someone who will help you?
  • The second question is short but nearly equally important: Can you afford to move your orchids?

Consider the distance you must travel

There is a big difference between moving across town and across the nation. The farther you travel, the more complicated things can get.

  • If you will be at your new home before bedtime, you only need to consider things like how to pack the orchids to keep them comfy and where to put them when you arrive at your new home.
  • If you must spend the night in a motel, you must decide what to do with your orchids. Will the vehicle get too cold overnight? If you move them into the motel, will there be enough space? If you don't move them, how will you control the temperature?
  • Every time you get out of the car, you must decide whether the orchids will be safe and comfy while you are gone.

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Consider your attachment to your orchids

There are hobbies and there are obsessive hobbies. Which category are you in?

  • Would you be just as happy to leave these particular orchids behind if you could buy more orchids after your move?
  • Is every orchid equally important to you? (If there are plants you don't really love, kiss them goodbye.)
  • Will it kill you if some of your plants die? (If so, perhaps you would be better off giving your orchids away to a good home rather than moving them only to see them die.)

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Consider any legal issues

While preparing for our return to California, one major concern was whether our orchids would be confiscated at the agricultural inspection station. California has a reputation for protecting its agricultural business.

Michael investigated the legal requirements and found that although bringing in plants was a problem, a health certificate would facilitate a safe passage for our orchids. He obtained a health certificate by contacting our state's agricultural department. A local inspector actually came to our home, examined our orchids and provided an official certificate of health. (Michael spent weeks preparing our orchids for that inspection!)

  • Inspect your plants yourself and get rid of any pests. Your orchids will thank you and presumably so will your new state.
  • Contact your state's agricultural department to ask for advice and/or an inspection.
  • Do what the agricultural department tells you to do. It's better to lose a few plants now than to risk losing your entire orchid collection when you cross the state line!

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Consider the number of orchids in your collection

If your orchid collection is small enough to fit in the back seat of your car, then you are ready to move (assuming you have no children or pets to put back there). If you own too many orchids to fit easily into your back seat, then you have some calculations and measurements to do.

  • How much physical space will your orchids occupy when sitting side by side?
  • If your car is too small, can you borrow, rent or buy a vehicle big enough?

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Consider the condition of your orchids

  • Is every orchid you own what you consider a good quality orchid? We're not talking about award plants here, just whether each orchid fits your idea of beauty. If not, tell it: ¡Hasta la vista!
  • Is every orchid sturdy enough to make the trip? Get rid of the plants that are too delicate. Although they're not likely to actually die on the trip, puny plants are likely to die in your new home.
  • Look at the healthy orchids you're planning to keep and say to yourself, "Some of these may die no matter what I do." Unless you are very fortunate, the ecosystem of your new home simply will not match the ecosystem of your current home. The light or humidity may actually be unsuitable. (Seriously, our new living situation claimed a number of orchids, so don't skip this item!)

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Consider the environmental obstacles

Your obstacles may not be the same as ours, but knowing our obstacles will give you a place to start thinking. Due to the size of our orchid collection and the number of days we would be travelling, our biggest obtacles were:

  • Lack of space for 300 orchids in our car (we rented a van)
  • Dehydration (the outside humidity was miniscule)
  • Poor air circulation (no ceiling fans in the car!)
  • Exposure to temperature extremes while being carried between the van and various hotel rooms (it was winter)

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Conclusion

I don't think it's necessary for orchids to die just because they are moved to another state, but I do think you have to plan carefully for the trip and spend money. The less you stress your orchids during the move, the stronger they will be when they arrive at your new home. Stronger plants have a better chance of survival.

Was it worth the cost and effort and losses to move our orchids? One look out at the rows of orchids in our sunroom is all it takes for us to say “Yes!” We've learned a lot about the mechanics of moving orchids and we're sold on the idea of keeping the orchids Michael has worked so hard to collect.

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