Bamboo is one of the most interesting plants in the world. They are known as the largest species of grass and one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet. Furthermore, bamboo is known to produce the most oxygen and consumes more carbon dioxide than any other plant!
Apart from its ornamental value in Asian-inspired gardens, bamboo is considered an important plant because of its other uses such as building material, food source and versatile raw product for textile, furniture and even medicine.
There are over 1,500 species of bamboo in the world. They come in a variety of heights, leaf sizes and colors and can be planted as a screen, hedge or potted for indoor use. The beauty and versatility of bamboo prompted a lot of garden enthusiasts to start their own bamboo collection. Trading bamboo plants is now a common practice among collectors.
While generally sturdy and hardy, bamboo plants still require appropriate packaging when being shipped. Here are some tips on how to properly pack and ship bamboo plants to ensure that they reach their destination safely and in excellent health.
Unpot your bamboo and remove as much soil as possible without jeopardizing the plant. Just leave a fair amount of moist soil in the rootball. The root ball should be moist and not dripping wet. Too much water can rot the roots and leak into the package and damage the shipping box.
Wrap the root ball tightly in a couple layers of plastic bags and secure with twine so that it will not move around and the soil will not spill out.
Use the smallest box possible where the bamboo plant can fit snugly. Culms or branches can be bent and/or topped (trimmed at the top) to fit into the box. Fill empty spaces with bubble wrap or crumpled paper to wedge the plant into place. Double wall corrugated cardboard boxes are best as they provide more rigidity and protection for the plant.
Close the box and seal with packaging tape. Address and attach shipping labels. Take the package to your local post office or shipping company and pick the fastest shipping option possible.
Ship bamboo plants away from weekends or holidays to avoid the risk that they will sit in a depot or warehouse for extended periods of time.