Here is how I pack my Fig Trades.

[The Figster]

Many moons ago I used to work in a plant mail order company in England in the depths of winter. We where trained to make our packages 'not rattle' . The foreman would take great delight is shaking the boxes and returning any that rattled to the packer.

So here is a little summary of what worked. The text above the image references the image below.


1 The top of the pot was filled with compost and even left slightly mounded.





2 I use peat pots to grow my trade figs as they can be squeezed slightly and morph to the shape of the plastic bag and bands.
There is no chance the roots will ever become exposed. The root ball is moist but on the dry side.




3 I fit my plants into the box with a tapper. The root ball at the bottom is the wide part and the stem is the narrow part. This taper grips the plant and it will not rattle.





4 When applying tape start on the back side and wrap in the direction you what to pull tight. This will pass under the box and then be easy to close.




5 Take care to ensure shoots and leafs are facing up and that buds point into the box.





6. I make a cardboard hat top that is easy to remove by the recipient. I recommend they start at the top and undress slowly!




7 Two Maltese Falcon being shipped out today




We have all received plants that have been rumbled in delivery. These small peat pots are mush more forgiving than 1 gallon or larger pots.
These plants can be planted with out removing the peat pot into your favorite pot size and medium and they wont skip a beat - no drying out, no rattling, no broken root ball. Remember the roots will break through the peat pot with ease.

happy shipping

[Rewton]

Thanks for the explanation and the photos. However, I didn't quite get how the plant is secured inside the package (step 3). What is a tapper? Many of us using plastic pots use a piece of bamboo that goes lengthwise in the box from the bottom of the pot to the other end to keep the container from sliding. I have also seen special boxes from nurseries that have a tab that folds inward and overlaps over a part of the container to secure it in place.

[The Figster]

Steve, I mean taper not tapper. The constriction prevents the root ball from moving in the box.
I received 2 plants last summer packed with the method you describe - bamboo canes holding the plant in place lodged into the cardboard. I noticed that the holes had expanded slightly from shaking in transit. The plants survived all the same. I wrote the guide for fig folk that have not shipped a fig before. Hope it helps

[figgary]

I did a trade with Ian, and received the plant just as he said. Packed really well, it was in perfect shape.

[pukzpukz]

I got in a Very nice tree the other day from a trade with The Figster Ian It was Package Like a Pro Better Than UPS Thanks Ian . Has anyone else gotten the same service ????

[WillsC]

The figster,

I think it is a very good guide. To make your life somewhat easier the USPS does offer triangular shipping tubes that work out quite well.