Flowers are an integral part of many events, especially festive ones. They are symbols of birthdays, weddings and other events, making them a fairly intense trade item. The UTS company facilitates the transportation of flowers to different countries and cities in Europe. Thanks to logistics services for the flower industry, Ukraine and any other European country can enjoy flowers from other countries. For example, the Netherlands is a famous producer of tulips. Transporting flowers by international freight makes these amazing plants available in other countries. Countries with colder climates that are not suitable for growing flowers may have access to any variety.
Features of packaging plants for transportation
Freight forwarders throughout Europe provide regular transport of seeds, flower bulbs and fresh plants to meet the needs of numerous flower shops in different countries. For this purpose, suitable packaging and vehicles with appropriate temperature conditions and cooling systems are used. In addition to industrial delivery, we can also transport indoor plants. They also require special packaging and fixation conditions in the car. Fresh cut flowers for transportation are packaged in several ways:
- the most common packaging is boxes in which plants are placed horizontally;
- or together with the stems are placed in water containers or buckets.
The second method is used to transport flowers that cannot survive for long without water (orchids, gerberas and others). But when transporting flowers with water, the weight of the cargo increases. Therefore, international freight forwarders do not recommend using air transportation due to the significant increase in transportation costs. Special transportation of flowers is especially necessary for fresh-cut varieties, which are perishable goods. This allows plants, bulbs and seeds to be transported while maintaining their attractive appearance and quality.
How to transport live plants in winter?
Transporting plants in winter is just as necessary as at any other time of the year. But it is winter that poses a serious problem in terms of storage and preservation of freshness. Important factors for efficient flower transport in winter:
- Temperature.
A clear connection has been established between the temperature of plants, the environment and the aging of cut flowers. Like any other plant, they undergo respiratory processes that produce significant amounts of heat. Although this heat is easily dissipated in the open air, storing and transporting it in a sealed package means that this thermal energy is retained. Retained heat dramatically increases the rate of aging, releasing more heat and therefore establishing a harmful thermal cycle. - Humidity and humidity.
Another key factor determining the success of winter transportation is the presence of sufficient moisture and environmental humidity. An ambient humidity of about 90%-95% is required. These plants are especially prone to rapid water loss when separated from their nutrient-rich roots and will require proper rehydration to remain fresh. Immersing the stems in clean water will quickly restore the water balance if there are no obstacles to the free flow of water through them. - Ethylene inhibition.
When deciding to ship flower arrangements, it is vital to use an ethylene-free packaging process. Ethylene gas is particularly destructive to most types of flowers, causing them to die or wilt. - Carbohydrate retention.
The carbohydrate and sugar reserves in flower stems are responsible for providing energy to flowering plants. When they are cut, their supply is reduced, causing the plants to wilt and die. To prevent this undesirable phenomenon, use sugar-containing solutions for a short time (less than 24 hours) immediately after cutting.
How to preserve flowers when transporting long distances?
Transportation of plants requires a cooling system and the correct temperature conditions, which are necessary for successful delivery in the flower industry. This ensures that the flowers remain in good condition and attractive in appearance. Long distances require stopping to change water pots. For such stops, special temperature-controlled warehouses are used, which are provided by the transport company. They allow you to transport goods to another city or abroad by car without any changes.