| Hi Tammy, check with the person receiving the cuttings to find out if they prefer them with, or without foliage. Some use methods benefiting from foliage. I prefer wrapping which doesn't require leaves on them. I use Priority Mail to send cuttings and seeds. The small and medium boxes are useful for most needs. They are free at the Post Office. You have a choice of regular or Flat Rate boxes, or you're supposed to. At my local Post Offices, they only stock the Flat Rate small boxes, but both types of the medium size. I attempt to cut the cuttings to fit the size box I'm planning to use. Normally, you can fit quite a few in a small box so most of the shipments I've made have used this size box. Most have wanted them without leaves, so more pieces of wood can fit than if the foliage was left on them. I tie and label each variety together so several can be stacked together while keeping them separated. I like to wrap them in damp newspaper then insert them in enough plastic shopping bags to seal them against drying out and prevent any moisture from leaking through and into the box. I'd pick up a few of the boxes and experiment to see how much you can pack in the sizes so you'll have a good idea what size to suggest when someone asks you for cuttings. As I said, most will fit in the small box, which, for Flat Rate, usually runs around $5.20, perhaps a little more now that postal rates have just increased. Using Priority Mail, most get delivered in two to three business days. For cuttings, you don't want soil as it isn't "hygienic", and probably not legal, plus it adds weight unnecessarily. You don't have to use ziplock bags, either. Simple produce bags wrapped and tied around a bundle of cuttings wrapped in damp newspaper have been completely fine being mailed across the country, and even to Europe. As for how many, that depends on what you have available and how many you want to send; how many varieties you wish to fit in what size box; how proficient the recipient is in rooting them; etc. I've sent one or two of a variety because that was all there was due to the plant size, and I've sent a large bundle to make sure they were successful, and I had it to send. You probably know how much material is necessary for you to have takes and can likely use that as a guide. Feel free to discuss that with the person receiving your material. Often, they can tell you what works for them and whether they would prefer receiving a lot, or a little of each variety. You'll quickly learn what to do and find it isn't written in stone. As long as they are kept damp and received in a relatively short time (less than a week), they'll usually be just fine. Kim |
