We are approaching dormant cutting season.  I have promised many to members here, and I've received some already!

What is your preferred method of shipping?

Of the cuttings I've received, I must say my favorite packaging is damp newspaper wrapped around the cuttings to keep them fresh, and then inside a one gallon zip lock, labeled with "Good Luck," and the name of the cuttings!

My big job on receipt is to toss the wet newspaper, let them dry a bit, add damp sphangum moss and a dry paper towel to absorb excess moisture, and put them back in their own labeled baggie for rooting!

I've received cuttings in priority boxes and envelopes, and even taped up shoe boxes!!

How would you like me to ship my cuttings to you?

Suzi

Suzi,
All seriousness aside, hand delivered would be just fine, LOL

Danny,

Arriving dead is not a good thing!!  This is a hard day for me...  gifted JD my vote for president for HIS party... sold my soul, but then I'm trying to justify my reasons for understanding that girl who has a problem with the deer crossing signs.  I agree with her...

Blonde, but not blind...........

Suzi

These are the kind of days that I really appreciate those who process spirits, vintners, brewmeisters, moonshiners, etc

OK Danny!

I'm going to go process some wine!  It's 4:00 PM somewhere!  Actually, when did deer learn to read signs?  How do they know where to cross the road? 

On topic, if you wish to send green cuttings, please make sure they have enough moisture (including soil if they are rooted cuttings), and send them priority!  AKA FAST!

Also, please put your return address on the package so we know who sent the package. 

JMHO... Now, which wine should I process............

Suzi

I hope you like the way that I send cuttings. I do first class when weather is nice, priority in winter and fedex for plants.

Great topic Suzi.  I plan on trading cuttings this winter as well, and I'd like to follow a proven method since I'm new to shipping cuttings.

Has anyone every used mailing tubes and know if they are more or less expensive? Or any other pros/cons? I've got some I might use when it's my turn to send some cuttings out.

Dormant cuttings are basically "sticks," and need to be kept moist AKA damp, for their trips, but "rooted" cuttings should be sent with the medium in which they were rooted, and also kept moist, in my opinion.

I've received plants in mailing tubes, but never cuttings.  Always a first time! :-))

Suzi

The tubes are not flat rate.  I recently shipped myself some hazelnut plants and saved a lot with a large flat rate box over a tube.

I ship everything priority with delivery confirmation.  The delivery confirmation cuts at least a day off of delivery time.  Sometimes more than a week.  I put long fibered sphagnum moss that's wrung out in with my cuttings in a 1 gal ziplock unless I don't have access to it.  Then any paper with water squeezed out wil do.

i usually cut them off the day i'm shipping them. wrap them with well squeezed wet paper towel, then put into zip lock bag with air squeezed out. i usually ship it first class in padded env.. so far so good. only 1 set of cuttings didn't make the destination. the address changed, and it came back.. after month or two. i took a look at the cuttings and it was just too nasty to save.

Last spring I sent out a large number of cuttings that were totally covered in damp...not wet...coconut coir, and placed in a large zip-lock bag.  They sell these super-sized,  zip-lock bags at the market.  They are large enough to hold sweaters, etc.  I try to take straight sections of branches.  I then roll the bag containing the cuttings, and place it in the shipping box that's packed with dry newspaper.  The cuttings are always surrounded with, and cushioned by, the damp coir, and they'll arrive in great condition.  The receiver can either plant the cuttings, or, store them in a cool place, right in the original  zip-lock bags.  I buy the dried, compressed, coconut coir at the local pet supply.  It also makes a great rooting medium for cuttings.

Frank

I've never used coconut coir before.  Is it cheaper than Sphangum moss?  Sounds like a great idea!

Suzi

I've received cuttings in every which manner (including cuttings in a cardboard box).  I'm not sure there is one method that is much better than any other, and I have not lost a cutting due to travel conditions.  The cuttings are usually in the hands of the carrier only for a few days.  That is not enough time to really cause damage.  Even throwing a damp piece of paper towel into the baggie is more than they really need, but it may come in handy during those unexpected, extended travels.

Pete...how much does it cost to ship cuttings in a padded envelope?


A USPS flat rate box, Inside Dimensions: 11" x 8½" x 5½", costs $11.35 to ship anywhere domestically.  Price includes the box.

I've gotten several larger envelopes w cuttings that cost under $6 to send.

If you don't have too many cuttings, and they are 8 inches or less in length, you can use a small flat rate box, which is about $5.15, priority mail, in the US. (dimensions 5.3 X 1.6 X 8.6 inches).

Of course some cuttings are longer than 8 inches, so that might not be desirable. Or if there are not many, you could pack them diagonally and gain an inch or so.


edit:  There are also flat rate envelopes that cost about $5 to send. These are 9.5 X 12.5 inches. They are not padded, but you could add some padding of your own if desired.

I get my dormant cuttings from UC Davis wrapped in damp paper.  When I open that package, it smells like heaven!  But I am not UC Davis, and neither are you.  We do the best we can to send cuttings.

I love all the information you have provided!

Suzi

Best way I have found to ship dormant cuttings is simply wrapped in saran wrap and shipped in a flat rate small box or padded envelope for $5.90 , shipping plus delivery confirmation.
Axier was the first person I saw suggest the saran wrap method. No wet paper towel needed. Cutting hold in perfect condition.

Great thread!!!!