Here is a list of frequently asked questions with answers.
- Are they sleeved? Yes they can come in sleeves in bunches of 10 if requested yet early in the season before the plant becomes hardy enough they are tender and we opt to handle then less so as they don’t bruise.
- How is shipping done? Shipping to your freight forwarder of choice in any city is by refrigerated truck as Galax must be kept between 38-40 F (3.33 to 4.44 C) . We do not handle or provide shipping cost.
- How is Galax packed? We group each 10 bunch in boxes of 50, 100, 200 pcs sleeved or un-sleeved.
- Is Galax loose? Yes they are loose but come in bunches of 10.
- What does ‘loose’ mean? It means that Galax leaves come in 25 stems per bunch and boxed side by side in boxes of 50, 100, 200 pc bunches.
- How many Galax stems per bunch? A bunch consists of between 20 and 25 stems.
- What is a bunch? 20-25 stems of the hand graded Galax.
- What is regular sized Galax? Regular Galax is generally 2.5″ – 3.5″ based upon timing of the season.
- What is the size of the Super Galax? Super Galax are leaves that are 4″ and larger.
- What colors does Galax come in? Galax generally comes in green red (burgundy). All colors are based upon seasonal availability.
- How much volume can Murphy’s Greenery produce? We are the world’s largest wholesaler because of our experience. Pickers favor our location because we pay fair market price and we are adamant about conservation and sustainability. We have never had an issue in supplying our many customers nationally and internationally and can ship by truck or lorry’s worth. The only things that inhibit volume would be season timing and natural occurrences.
- How do we determine Galax quality? We hand check each and every bunch we ship. Because of our years experience it offers us the ability to do so very quickly. We also relish in the fact that we personally know our pickers and they know our standards.
- How is Galax pricing determined? Seasonal availability, Volume purchase. For exact pricing please call our office and speak to Angie.
- How is Galax processed? First it is harvested locally in the Appalachian mountain counties of Mitchel, Yancey and Transylvania. It must be brought in for processing the same day it is picked, where we perform the first quality check. It is then refrigerated overnight where it cools and the following day we perform the second quality check before is is bagged and or sleeved.
- How is Galax stored? We can safely cool-store large amounts of product in our 40′ x 40′ x 20′ cooler. Galax must be stored between 38-42 deg F to retain freshness and prolong shelf life. Later in the season, when the product hardens off after several frosts, the shelf life is much longer. After several frosts, the Galax will begin to turn a rich leathery burgundy color and can be kept in cold storage for months.
- How is Galax is Harvested? Each Galax leaf in season is harvested only by hand by our harvesters in the mountains where it grows naturally.
- How long have you been in Business? We purchased our business in 1991 from a sweet older couple named Lucille and the late John Griffin who sold us the business and all of their contacts and customers. As a family we have a 100 year family history of picking Galax.
- How long are you open? We are open 10 months out of the year seasonally. The reason we are only open seasonally is because we struck a deal with the forest service to preserve the crop. Otherwise the crops were being damaged by people picking the old crop and destroying 3 or 4 leaves of the new crop for 1 leaf of the old crop. These 2 months of rest for the plants allow for the heartiness of the plants to mature and become firm enough for sales. April 15 we are closed for new growth and we open June 15.
- Where does Galax grow? It is native to the southeastern United States from Massachusetts and New York south to northern Alabama, growing mainly in the Appalachian Mountains at altitudes of up to about 5000 ft where it grows in shaded places in forests.
- What is Galax used for? Galax is primarily used as a floral green in the US and internationally. It is also known for party decorations as what is called affectionately a “lilly Pad” where the stem is cut off and allowed to float decoratively in the water. Galax also adorns many a wedding as corsages, Boutonnière and bouquets.
- Can Galax be cultivated? No – Galax is not cultivated and ONLY grows naturally.
- Can we ship only red or green only? Yes we can after the about Dec 1, as the Galax matures and the weather cools. Galax generally begins to change its colors from green to red if it grows where it receives sunlight. Galax can still be purchased in the color green throughout our selling season. Additional charges are generally incurred because we must hand separate these colors at your request.
- What is boxwood? Boxwood is a shrub that grows the US and abroad. It is primarily used for landscaping but in our process we use it as floral greens as cuttings. We sell these in 8 to 20 inch stem lengths in 20lb boxes for floral needs such as wreaths, floral arrangements, background greenery and most important as Christmas decorations in multiple forms.
- What is a wreath? We sell them as Christmas decorations in multiple form like door, mailbox, mantle pieces and window decor.
- What is Log moss or Sheet moss? A naturally occurring moss that grows in the woods on fallen trees and is used used in and around floral dish gardens and art & craft industry.