Question
Jeff,
I am flying from Connecticut to Anchorage, Alaska. How would you suggest that I pack my plants (1 nepenthes, 1 sarr. purpurea, 6 drosera spatulata) to take as a carry-on or in checked baggage?
Thanks for your help

Answer
Hi Christopher,

Since you probably won't have to do any declarations for plants, you won't have to be as careful with soil.  Depending on how big they are, the Nepenthes and D. spatulata I would put in ziploc bags in your carry-on.  Those need to stay warm.  You can either leave them potted, or bare-root them and pack them with sphagnum moss, but that depends on space.  You'll have to decide what will work best for you.  If you leave them potted taping down the soil and putting cups over the top of them will protect them.  Don't get to thorough with the tape, however, since you may need to let TSA look at them.  One never knows how much C-4 could be in a Sundew pot. :)  It would be good to have a small roll of tape with you to tape them back up.

Do the same taping down the soil and cup over the top with the S. purpurea, but that can go in your checked baggage.  Try to locate it in the middle of your bag with soft clothing or towels around it.  This one can be in the checked bag since it can take the cold.  It would be good to have it labeled if your bag gets inspected. (Mine has every trip I've ever taken to Hawaii.)

Hope this helps.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com