Mailing in an Out-of-State Sample

Mail Samples to:

Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic
Department of Plant Pathology
University of Wisconsin-Madison
1630 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1598

Potted Plants
Place the pot in a heavy plastic bag and * LOOSELY * tie the top of the bag around the stem of the plant using string or a wire twist tie. This will keep the soil from contaminating the foliage. Place the entire plant within a larger sturdy plastic bag, and place that bag within a second plastic bag. Put the wrapped plant in a sturdy box. Use packing material to ensure that the sample won’t shift during shipment.

Whole Plants
If you have removed the soil from the roots of the plant, wrap the roots in moist paper towels. Place the wrapped roots in a heavy plastic bag and * LOOSELY * tie the top of the bag around the stem of the plant using string or a wire twist tie. Punch several holes in the bag to allow air movement.

If you need to leave soil attached to the root system (e.g., because you believe a nematode is causing your disease problem), place the root system directly in the bag and * LOOSELY * tie the top of the bag around the stem of the plant using string or a wire twist tie. * DO NOT * punch holes in the bag.

Place the entire plant within a larger sturdy plastic bag, and place that bag within a second plastic bag. Put the wrapped plant in a sturdy box. Use packing material to ensure that the sample won’t shift during shipment.

Leaves
Press leaves flat between alternate layers of moist ( * NOT WET * ) and dry paper towels. Put leaves and toweling between two pieces of cardboard and put into a heavy plastic bag. Place that bag within a second plastic bag. Tie the bag closed. Punch several holes in the bag to allow air movement. Place the wrapped leaves in a sturdy box. Use packing material to ensure that the sample won’t shift during shipment.

Seedlings
Remove seedlings from the soil and * GENTLY * wash them. Lay them on a moist ( * NOT WET * ) paper towel; cover with another layer of moist paper towel. Place the seedlings and toweling between two pieces of cardboard and put into a heavy plastic bag. Tie the bag closed. Punch several holes in the bag to allow air movement. Place that bag within a second plastic bag. Place the wrapped seedlings in a sturdy box. Use packing material to ensure that the sample won’t shift during shipment.

Flowers or Other Above-ground Parts of Herbaceous Plants
Lay the plant part flat between layers of moist ( * NOT WET * ) paper towels. Put the plant part and toweling between two pieces of cardboard and put into a heavy plastic bag. Tie the bag closed. Punch several holes in the bag to allow air movement. Place that bag within a second plastic bag. Place the wrapped material in a sturdy box. Use packing material to ensure that the sample won’t shift during shipment.

Woody Branches
Cut branches into sections. Place the pieces in a heavy plastic bag and place the wrapped material in a sturdy box. Place that bag within a second plastic bag. Use packing material to ensure that the sample won’t shift during shipment.

Evergreen Branches
Place branches in a heavy bag and tie the bag closed. Punch several holes in the bag to allow air movement. Place that bag within a second plastic bag. Place the wrapped material in a sturdy box. Use packing material to ensure that the sample won’t shift during shipment.

Fleshy Fruits and Vegetables
Wrap fruits and vegetables in dry newspaper. Place fruit/vegetable and newspaper in a heavy plastic bag and tie the bag closed. Punch several holes in the bag to allow air movement. Place that bag within a second plastic bag. Place the wrapped material in a sturdy box. Use packing material to ensure that the sample won’t shift during shipment.

Turf
Moisten plugs of turf if needed prior to packaging. Wrap turf in dry newspaper. Place turf and newspaper in a heavy plastic bag and tie the bag closed. Punch several holes in the bag to allow air movement. Place that bag within a second plastic bag. Place the wrapped material in a sturdy box. Use packing material to ensure that the sample won’t shift during shipment.

University of Wisconsin-Madison