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.

[QUOTE=Grasa]Igor, let the tree go to sleep, shake the soil out and coil them into a moist newspaper... it is the best way.[/QUOTE]

Best is to deliver the plant with rootball intact.  What advantage does bare root have over intact other than saving money shipping?   Saving money is great but that is best for you,  not the plant.

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.

[QUOTE=mgginva]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.

[/QUOTE]

I second this.

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.

[QUOTE=Grasa]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.[/QUOTE]

So you received a plant from someone who did not know how to pack it and from that beat up plant made the quantum leap that bareroot shipping is best?  That just does not make any sense to me.  



I guarantee you if I ship a 1 gallon across the country when it arrives the soil and root ball will still be in the pot and not 1 piece of dirt will be loose in the box. If the postal service has not stepped on or crushed the top of the box the top of the plant will be in on piece also.  If the top does get snapped......no biggie as long as the roots are intact.  Have tried a few methods and some worked but were too slow and some just did not work at all.  You live and learn and have the recipient critique the method until you find what works. 

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.

Nice Dave.
I do see one weak spot that doesn't happen with the USPS shoe boxes as they close at the top and bottom of the plant  - not the side like this box.
That weak spot is the cardboard is not re-inforced where the bamboo ends are situated. This could be an issue if there were rough treatment.
When I need to use a box like this I usually use a slightly different method I stole from Jon.
If you buy a tree from Jon you'll see a clever way to hold the pot in place without bamboo.

That's how to do it Dave.

Here is what Michael is talking about..........Jon's method.

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[URL=http://s562.photobucket.com/user/Bamboorabbit/media/20130630_103421_zpsb6022d1b.jpg.html][IMG]http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/ss63/Bamboorabbit/20130630_103421_zpsb6022d1b.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Right, never thought about Jon's method, I have received several from him and never came close to having a problem. Matter of fact, I could be wrong, but I think a couple boxes had 2 pots shipped together, one at each end and secured by the same method and never had a problem. Don't forget, Jon's arrived by UPS. I would still put a stick in if shipped by USPS.

Wow some great tips in shipping plants!
Wonder how long can the plant take being sealed up like that when going long trips?

I posted a message 5 min ago but deleted it after I realized that the boxes were not Uline but Packaging Wholesalers.
I apologize if somebody read it already. This one is correct.

I received the 28x6x6 boxes from Amazon today, the price was $23.14 (delivered) per 20.
A great size to ship 2 shorter plants or 1 taller.

Pino

3 weeks ago I sold a tree in a one gallon pot on ebay and shipped it Priority which at the most it should of taken 3 days to get to the buyer I checked the tracking number a couple of times and I thought that it was odd 7 days later and it said not delivered I wrote to the person and she confirmed that it was not delivered and told me she lives in an rural area in AZ and when her regular mailman is on vacation the substitute won't delivery any packages ??? I don't understand that??? I told her that she in entitled to a refund on the shipping and that the post office would be liable if the tree died anyway on the 10th day the tree was delivered to her house and she said it was in perfect condition and didn't even need to be watered??? I'm assuming the bags must of kept the water from evaporating 

Here is an option, price seems reasonable, you should check on the quality and reputation of the company. I have not ordered from any of them as of today.


http://www.uline.com/Product/AdvSearchResult.aspx?view=ALL&&Length=6&Width=6&Height=24&Tolerance=1&WebClass=4&DimensionalSearch=Y

http://www.amshippingsupplies.com/-c-21.html#Stock_Shipping_Boxes

http://www.packagingsupplies.com/standard_20032_ect_rsc_corrugated_boxes.html

I ordered on Amazon with Prime and my price includes the shipping. 20-25 boxes was enough for me and unfortunately most of the websites charge the shipping $12-18 which kills the good deal.

Another way to be sure the bamboo doesn't poke through the box is to cut it about 1/8" short, wrap packing tape around the top of the bamboo, making a mess but folding edges over the top of the stake and taping them down to spread out the force.  Then you see where the bamboo hits the top of the box and put 2 pieces of packing tape where the bamboo hits the box.

Good point Greenfig, did you mean ships 2 shorter or 1 taller? thanks.

Oops! A brain freeze :)
Corrected...

I am checking Amazon, then weigh if I purchase enough in a year to make Prime pay off, I guess I could stream a lot of movies and read a lot of books. I usually order over $35 and get free shipping on most items. I'll check it out. Thanks.

I trade many plants in fall & early spring. I only ship dormant plants for the most part now. I would go broke shipping all that soil to my friends. I ship semi bare root plants with a freshly watered rootball wrapped in a bag and sealed with flagging tape and write the name of the tree on the tape.  then secure the plant to the walls of the box If I'm shipping many plants to 1 person I lay them head to toe with shredded paper or balled up paper between them until the box is filled so it don't move. Actively growing plants need the pots to be shipped with them. In case anyone is wondering by semi bare root I mean the plant gets removed from it's pot and about 1/2 the soil is gently washed off before bagging. 

Thanks Dave!
Great to know that in worst case scenarios like a 10 day trip the fig still survived!

The number of days in shipment and survival rates is probably directly related to the amount time the package is kept in extreme temperatures, either they will freeze or they will fry.

[QUOTE=pino]Thanks Dave!
Great to know that in worst case scenarios like a 10 day trip the fig still survived![/QUOTE]

or 14:
http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/from-ca-to-vt-in-14-days-priority-mail-6289818?pid=1277567195#post1277567195

For dormant plants it sounds easier what edibilelandscapingsc is doing. 

If the fig tree is dormant would it be injured very badly by shaking/washing off the soil and then repotting? 

Some areas won't let you ship soil with plants in so that would help with that.