From our perspective, the primary concern with cold weather transport is our extreme sensitivity to temperatures below 50°F (10°C). We are tropical plants, native to the warm climates of Mexico. Our cells are not equipped with the natural antifreeze compounds or protective bark that hardy, temperate plants possess. Even a brief exposure to a cold draft or a few minutes on a freezing car seat can cause irreparable damage to our delicate cell structures. This damage, known as chilling injury, causes the cell membranes to rupture, leading to the leakage of cell contents and ultimately, cell death. You will first see this as drooping or wilting leaves, followed by the rapid and premature drop of both leaves and our prized colorful bracts.
Before the journey begins, your preparation is crucial for our survival. If we have been residing in a warm store, a sudden shock of cold air will be devastating. Please ask the store clerk to sleeve us in a protective paper or plastic sleeve. This sleeve acts as a miniature greenhouse, trapping a small layer of insulating air around our foliage and flowers. However, ensure this sleeve is put on just before we leave the store. If we are left sleeved for too long in a warm environment, it can create excessive humidity and encourage fungal diseases like Botrytis, which causes unsightly spotting on our bracts.
The transit vehicle must be pre-warmed before you bring us out. The goal is to minimize the time between the warm store and the warm car. Once in the vehicle, our placement is critical. Do not place us in the trunk, which is often the coldest part of the car. Instead, secure us on the floor of the passenger cabin, as cold air sinks and the floor is often warmer than seats exposed to windows. If the journey will be longer than a few minutes, you may consider pre-warming the car and then placing us in a cardboard box for additional insulation against drafts. The most important factor is consistency; we need a stable, warm microclimate free from drastic temperature fluctuations.
Upon arrival at our destination, do not immediately remove the protective sleeve. We need time to acclimate slowly to the new environment's temperature and humidity to avoid a different kind of shock. Place us in our intended spot, away from cold drafts from doors or windows and also from direct heat sources like radiators or fireplaces, which can cause severe stress and desiccation. After about an hour, you can carefully remove the sleeve. Inspect our leaves and bracts for any signs of cold damage or stress. Please water us only if the soil is dry to the touch, as our water requirements will be lower after the stressful event of transport.
