Trying to find a box to fit 1 gal nursery pot with 1 ft growth above it.

The USPS triangular tubes are too narrow.
Are there any standard boxes that can be used without much modification?

How about if I want to ship 2 one gallon pots in 1 box with 1 ft tree each?

Hi Igor, I ordered some from uline.com They are 20X6X6 and fit a one gallon nicely.

This is what I use.....and free.  If you are sending two plants just tape the boxes together.

https://store.usps.com/store/browse/uspsProductDetailMultiSkuDropDown.jsp?productId=P_0_SHOEBOX&categoryId=priority-mail

Thanks Wills, ordered a pack. 

Super, guys!
Thanks a lot.

There are 2 sizes of triangle tubes.   I use the small one and tape it well.  The bulge for the soil transitions to a narrower triangle which keeps the plant from moving.

I tried a medium tube and it is way too narrow, I would need two to go around the pot which makes it rectangular. That is what you do?

I just shipped two 1 gallon-pot figs each in a 6x6x24" Uline box.
Both fitted very snugly in there, actually I had to apply a tiny force to close the box.
That, with a plastic bag (for moisture/water control) and couple of cardboard 'straps'  (for further securing) should get them home.
Uline has many boxes to fit all needs, including a slightly bigger 8x8x26".

As for USPS (~6" sides) triangular tube- I only use them to ship smaller starter-figs usually just-rooted ones in 20-32 ounce foam-cups.

I'm not sure there is a foot up top but if you go on the USPS site and order either 10 or 25 shoe box size boxes they will deliver right to your door and not charge at all. I have used these for a while and they work great. 1 gallon is a tight fit but that's good. I ship both 1g and 1g trade pots in this size.
I put wet paper towels on top of the soil in the pot then put the pot in 2 plastic shipping bags and tie them off. I then put in one more bag sometimes just in case.
I then cut 2 pieces of bamboo that match the interior box size and push them threw the bags into the pot. This holds the pot perfectly and there is no need for tape or twist ties, etc.
It is super simple and every single person I have shipped a plant to has been very happy with this method.

Very useful suggestions indeed!
I ordered a pack the USPS shoe boxes, I will try them first since they are free.
I may order the Uline boxes too, it only will add a $1.30 to the total price of shipping one pot.

Igor, let the tree go to sleep, shake the soil out and coil them into a moist newspaper... it is the best way.

I think someone on the forum said they take the plants out of a pot, put them in a bag and wedge the rootball (with soil) into the USPS triangular boxes. Not sure how I feel about messing with the roots that much, but probably works ok.

Most plants I've gotten mailed are in random boxes that happen to fit the container well...the last one was a fruit cup box. Just go to the grocery store and find a stockboy, ask him for boxes.

Good information here.
I found that Amazon has boxes for sale.
Uline has a bigger variety.
I need to order some for the 1 gal and the 5 gals I will send out.

I also found that putting a stick all the way to the bottom of the pot that's as long as the box is tall will stop the pot from moving/crushing the plant when it's turned over in shipping. Tape over the top of the pot stops the root ball from falling out of the pot.

I'm shipping plants in triangular boxes with mature roots.  I take the plant out of the pot, water it well, which washes some of the soil away.  Then I wrap ithe roots in a plastic bag.  I tape the triangle tightly around the root ball and it makes the box bulge a little.  Then I tape the triangle just past the root ball even tighter so the plant can't move. 

If the plant has a less mature root system I would leave it in its pot, cover the soil so it can't move, take measures to be sure the pot can't move and use an ordinary box.

I used to use the Uline boxes, 8x8x20 and put 1 or 2 fig plants in each.

Don't expect those USPS boxes to arrive overnight.  Mine took 3 weeks to get here.

WOW !! A lot of work being wasted in packing if you ask me.
Anytime you disturb roots you set the growth back.
Why take the plant out of its' pot?
You are going to destroy root hairs at the very least.
Depending on the destination a USPS shoe box with a 1 gallon watered plant costs from $8.35 to $18.15 to ship. 
When I ship now all that has to be done is; open the box - pull out 2 bamboo sticks, untie 2 bags and remove a couple damp paper towels. Done.
The plant has been shipped almost undisturbed and it's in its' original pot. 
It hasn't had growth interrupted and doesn't have to recover before it can continue growing.

I agree with both and all, am I politically correct?? The reason I say this is because I believe there are other factors involved. Take for instance, I have received about 40 bare root plants shipped to me in Dec2013 and Jan2014 and they have grown a lot since arrival. My Encanto (just measured) is 6foot, Trojano 5foot, Ventura 5foot, Salce(Mario's) 5 foot, Adriatic Verdone 5foot, a few more 4-5 foot all the rest 2-4 foot and never lost one plant. If I knew enough about pine bark fines mix back then, I believe they would even be much larger, they are in heavy low drained potting soil right now. They will be repotted as soon as I get more pine bark fines, and I am air layering some right now. Not bad progress for bare rooted plants.

Boxes get dropped and shaken in transit.

I received a tree that the pot content exploded and roots were broken, leaves smashed .when I opened the package, I found the roots,opened slowly and found all the dirt was  around the leaves. and the soil was taped shut in the container. it was just a few roots left as most was broken.

the tree took a while to recover.  Knowing this, I would never send out a gallon with soil. In addition, California does not  accept soils coming in.

Grasa,
There is an adage in science that goes: It's the exception that makes the rule.

You are correct that certain places, ex. CA, that will take the plant if it is shipped in soil and they discover it.

But of all the thousands of plants shipped properly in their pots I have yet to hear of any that were a problem. I'm assuming the one you had a problem with was improperly packed as it would take a lot - a lot - of abuse - including somehow ripping the plastic bags - to mess up the stuff I ship. And at that level of damage it would also be damaged if it were bare root. I have received damaged plants in the past but every time it has been from someone who had not yet learned how to properly pack a potted plant.

If you have the soil in the pot properly contained (paper or whatever to fill the pot to the top, and then in a plastic bag sealed to the trunk), and the pot properly secured in the carton so that it cannot move, there will not be issues short of being run over by a forklift. Controlling the heavy weight of the soil/pot is the essential element. The rest of the box is shade for the plant and protection for the leaves.

Have shipped thousands of plants, in their pots without real incident. Had a few arrive with half the box missing, but as long as the pot/soil were secured all was well.

Here's how I shipped mine like Joan said fill up the top of the pot with wet newspaper to take up any space I put one or two bamboo sticks punch a hole in the top of the pot and put the wire to hold the bamboo stick in place, I tape the top of the pot to keep everything tight and then I put another bag and just tie that one so there is no chance of moisture leaking "post office wouldn't appreciate a wet box" I buy my boxes on ebay I think there a $1.00 to $1.50 a box  I've sent out many many trees I haven't lost a single one yet 



       

Wow, Dave!
Thank you for the guide with images, many people will benefit from this.

Dave nice photos and information, looks like you have a plan that works. Step by step, great demo. Thanks.