(There's no "How to..." section, so I stuck this here.)

This is my method for shipping plants, and so far, I've had no failed plant shipments.

1. Remove rooted plants, clippings, or what you need or want to remove from your aquarium. This method works for most plants.

2. Place plants inbetween 2 layers or so of tank water- or clean water-soaked paper towels. I have received plants in soaked newspaper, and it's really messy upon arrival, and the plants didn't fair too well. If you can, fold over the paper towel ends, and you will basically end up with a pouch.

3. Put the pouch into a plastic bag, similar to a Zip-Loc bag.

4. Put the bag with plants et al. into the appropriate sized shipping box.

5. Bring package to the Post Office and mail! I prefer and it's recommended that plants be shipped Priority (2 to 3 day shipping) or Express (overnight). In severe cold weather, a heat pack is recommended.

During cold weather, I usually double box shipments. I'll use a box that's about 12 x 12 or a little larger. I cut the styro to fit all sides, top and bottom. Then I add either scraps from the styro or peanuts and center the smaller box. My goal is to have an inch or two in all directions from the center box. I wedge spare styro and peanuts around all sides to position the center box so it doesn't move, but I like to keep lots of dead air space on the sides, top and bottom, so that the heat pack works. I fill the center box about half full of peanuts, and then add the bag of fish into the center. If I have to use two bags for the fish or more, I make dividers again out of scrap stryo and postiion the bags so that the sides do not touch. If the bags touch, it reduces the gas exchange significantly. Anyway, then I pile on some more peanuts and make sure that the interior box is packed tightly enough to discourage movement, yet not to tight to rupture the bag(s). Then I cut out a false "top" out of styro to cover the dimensions of the interior box (overlapping the edges a little). In the morning before heading out to the post office, I add the heat pack, and put the real styro top on, seal the box and away. Shipping during warmer times of the year is much less involved and I can often get away with shipping the interior box alone. Works for me and the folks whom I ship fish to. I shipped 32 dozen bushynose over the last half year or so with 5 DOA fish. Four of those fish were in a failed Kordon Breather Bag and the other was quite possible yet too small to ship. I sent a few smaller ones along as extras from time to time.
regards
mike