Flying daffodils into California

Daffodil friends,

I know of no restrictions on flying daffodils into California.

Unless Sacramento is the “port of arrival” from overseas, there shouldn’t be an inspection.
Regarding the discussion of carrying them in the cabin versus as luggage, new restrictions on cabin carry-ons may make it more difficult to carry blooms in the cabin than as luggage.

I go to the local florist and get discarded corrugated cardboard flower boxes in which the florist has received its flowers. These boxes work perfectly fine for sending flowers as luggage. I do tape stems to the bottom of the box with masking tape – this keeps the blooms for shifting during the flight. It also minimizes the damage should the box be turned sideways or even upside down. You can fit many stems (perhaps up to 80) into a florist box by doing as Mary Lou suggests – half-way down, turn and start from the other end, slipping the stems between the others.

I seal the handle openings at each end of the florist box, mist the blooms lightly, and carry masking tape to seal the box after its inspection at airport check in ( if there is any). (It might be best to call and ask what the luggage check-in procedure is now.)

Another suggestion: if you have more than one box, after any initial inspection (at the curb check-in or where-ever) use cinch-belts (or even tape) to bind two boxes together into a single piece of luggage – to save on luggage checking charges.

When you get to Murphys with your flowers, we’ll hustle you on to Ironstone to get them into water.

Bob

 

1 comment for “Flying daffodils into California

  1. Hi Bob and Ralph,
    10 Days ago, I flew from Columbus to St. Louis.  I saw no additional restrictions for carry ons.  The things people were carrying seemed to me to be the same as it has been in recent years.  The big reason for carrying your daffodils and putting them in the overhead bins is that most airlinnes are now charging at least $25.00 for each checked bag.  This time, on Delta, I am going to pay $50 for my bag, round trip.  On top of that, I would not be willling to spend another $25 for daffodils.
    I agree with the things everyone has said about boxing up the daffodils.  I do one additional thing to mine.  I bought some  disposable hospital bed pads that are about 24’x36′.  I roll them up lightly, plastic side out. A few pieces of scotch tape holds them.  I cut them to fit lengthwise inside the box I have chosen.  Placing the stems between the rolls and laying the heads on the rolls eliminates the need to tape the stems down.  I also place them from the top and from the bottom to get more blooms in the box.  After I put as many as I can into the box, I could turn the box upside down and the blooms will not fall out.  The stems do need to be under the rolls.  I put a plastic liner on the bottom of the box, place thr rolls on theplasric bottom liner and cover the blooms on the top with more plastic.  You could put some tape at the center of the box, over the rolls to be extra sure if you decide to check the box. I don’t mist the flowers.  I do let them sit in warm water as long as I can before packing them..
    I did take blooms this way a few years ago on a plane.  Get a box from a florist.  Usually the floral shop at a grocery is more willing to give you the box.
    Nice days until Murphys!!
    Donna



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