Centurion
Registered:1293429646 Posts: 810
Posted 1351095495
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#1
I will be shipping cuttings to some of you this winter, and I have a couple of questions. Is there a preferred/optimal/expected length to send? Should the cuttings be cut square, or diagonal on the ends? Are tip cuttings prefered? Are other (non tip cuttings) ok to send as well? Does anybody have a problem receiving cuttings in USPS bubble wrapped envelopes? I have been treated very well by members on this forum. I want to be sure that I reciprocate in kind. Thanks
__________________ Dave
Verde Valley, AZ
Zone 8
DesertDance
Registered:1247674606 Posts: 4,518
Posted 1351096231
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#2
Not sure if I'm receiving cuttings from you, but I'll give you my input. I like cuttings 8" in length because they easily fit in a 1 gallon zip bag with plenty of room for damp sphagnum moss. I've received cuttings cut square at the bottom and pointed at the top, but also all square. I love tip cuttings, but there is only one of those per branch. I have no problem with bubble wrap envelopes as long as the cuttings have something damp to keep them from drying out on their long trip. :-) Suzi
__________________ Zone 9b, Southern California. "First year they sleep, Second year they creep, Third year they leap!" Wish List: I wish all of you happy fig collecting! My wishes have been fulfilled!
bullet08
Registered:1284496248 Posts: 6,920
Posted 1351096446
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#3
i keep my cuttings fat and short. about 4-6 inches, about little thicker than pencil. flat cut or angled cut.. fig doesn't seem to care. typically, i send them in padded envolope using first class. usually it takes about 3-5 days even from coast to coast.
__________________ Pete Durham, NC Zone 7b "don't talk to me about naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash." - sir winston churchill "the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - the baroness thatcher ***** all my figs have FMV/FMD, in case you're wondering. ***** ***** and... i don't sell things. what little i have will be posted here in winter for first come first serve base to be shared. no, i'm not a socialist...*****
rcantor
Registered:1309799312 Posts: 5,727
Posted 1351097839
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#4
I generally send at least 3 nodes, 5". You want to cut off anything more than 1/4" above the top node. That part will just die anyway. You can leave extra wood below the bottom node, roots typically come from the bottom of that. Cuttings 1/8" in diameter root quickly or not at all. Thicker ones root more slowly but have more vigor once they start in my limited experience. I've rooted 1 1/2 inch diameter cuttings that are now bigger plants than cuttings that rooted and put out leaves 3 months before. My biggest size is the span from my thumb to pinky stretched out minus 1/2". That's 8" and fits perfectly in the small priority boxes I use. :)
__________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.
Centurion
Registered:1293429646 Posts: 810
Posted 1351104386
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#5
Great. Shorter than I would have sent, which means I can ship more cuttings more cheaper. I will post up what I have available when the time comes. Not taking advance requests. If I keep it simple, there's less likelyhood I will mess it up. There will be lots of VDB, some Black Mission, and a few unknowns that have proven themselves fo me. Probably in January or February. Thanks to all of you.
__________________ Dave
Verde Valley, AZ
Zone 8
Gina
Registered:1330452963 Posts: 2,260
Posted 1351110290
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#6
My suggestion would be to send them as long as your mailing container, your pruning technique, and the tree allows, then let the recipient cut them how they prefer.
__________________ WillsC's new fig forum: http://www.Ourfigs.com (and blueberries)
dkirtexas
Registered:1341345900 Posts: 1,334
Posted 1351113006
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#7
I like to cut the top on the diagonal, length and diameter seems not to matter as long as there are nodes. It is all about the cuttings, for a VDB or RDB, I'll figure it out and make do, LOL
__________________ Thx, glad to be here Danny K "EL CAZADOR DE HIGO" Waskom Tx Zone 7B/8 Wish list: anything anyone wants me to have. LSU RED. Any LSU fig.
lukeott
Registered:1311470849 Posts: 645
Posted 1351129994
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#8
Myself, I like them 8'' long. If i had a choice, prefer the tips. I like how they grow out, thats just me. The reason I like them 8" is because I use the uline bags that are that long. You bury the whole cutting, except the last node or tip. As for cost, I'd rather pay a little bit more for shipping to get longer cuttings and size to my liking. luke