As many of you know already I run a small greenhouse out of my yard and do some sales on Ebay. I am always looking for better and more cost effective ways to do things

Cone tainers..... What do you think

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/product/cone-tainers/tree-seedling-containers

Amazing rooting shouldn't be easier.

I had looked at those last week out of curiosity, believe it or not. I wasn't sure if they would be wide enough for cuttings though. My other though was that the root system will be really long/skinny, might not be the best for shipping purposes.

I'm using band pots at the moment (got a ton for free from the garden center I work at): http://www.growers-inc.com/containers-anderson-band-pots.html. They are pretty good. I like that the bottom is pretty open so you can see when they are rooted enough to up pot. I mostly have the 2 3/8" x 5" size. I have a bunch of the 2.5" x 2.5" I'm going to try this winter with a new method I'm pondering.

Hi garden_whisperer,
Too thin IMO . But of course, it all depends of the final planned size of the trees.
With fig trees, leaves would shade each other and not allow for long term growth - IMO.

Why not use 2L soda bottles, or milk bottles ? ... Or, you just drink beer :) ?
I used some this year, and the cuttings performed well .

Looks like a good way to get a lot started in a small space.

I have been very happy with the Stuewe tree pots, but if you want something smaller the Rootrainers in the 3x2.5x10" size may be good. I like how they upen easily for up potting. I root in moss and then drop them in the tree pots. It would be an interesting experiment to see cuttings started directly in the Rootrainers.

I like the band pots myself, they seem to give very good results and you don't need to up pot to quickly but when you do, it's right to a 1 gallon.

Those rootainers I would like where can I get some

I like the band pots too but for shipping they are not cost effective. I would like to find something like band pots but not so heavy or expensive . Buying a case you still end up paying over a dollar a pot . That adds up when your planning on a few hundred cuttings going in the greenhouse come spring. Maybe closer to a thousand if things go well.

I had some chestnut seedlings come this way (sans rack). They are good for compacted, fibrous roots, but I not sure they would accommodate fig cuttings very well. In my experience, they were only about an inch in diameter. The plastic was firm enough to grow and ship them, but friable enough to breaks easily at planting time.

I ordered my pots from Stuewe. I think the 4x4x9" pots with trays came out to $1 each with shipping but have held up 100% after 2 seasons. The cuttings are only in there from about April-August. I up-pot from them directly into 3 gal. If I am mailing the new trees it gets included in the price of the plant. If I am selling locally I would only be selling in 3 gal or larger sizes.

Here's a cutting I rooted a month and a half ago that just got bumped up to it's winter pot. From a band pot.

This looks like a great alternative to the U-Line bags. The 4" bags end up being a bit wider when filled. It is too bad the do not have clear plastic containers.

In my pics above you will see that I bury my cuttings almost level with the soil to make maximum contact for root development. I have to go with the deeper pots.

Aaron,

In general, I normally trim my cuttings so they are an inch off the bottom of the bag, and the top node / tip is just exposed above the growing mix (about 5-7 inches long). If you like cone idea, S&S has the deepots, as well. They are 2.5" in diameter.

Ok I decided to try conetainers for my shipping, and for rooting for myself the rootainers. Got en orders already.

Are you planning to root directly in both? What is your rooting mix and does it differ from your potting mix?

When I,root right in the pot I use jiffy sees starting mix and add perlite In the same ratios

Who did you find the best prices from? I may to order some pots sooner than later.

Also, I sent a PM to you, did you get that?

Which ones

I got a few suppliers depending how many, and what kind. Most things I buy in bulk, but not all.