Cutting shipping disaster

17 years ago

Well, I feel like a real dope. I mailed some cuttings of jade and aptenia, along with haworthia pups, to another member. I put them inside plastic shopping bags, put the bags in a cardboard box, and sent the box off parcel post. It took the package two weeks to go from Southern California to Oregon, and when it arrived it was leaking fluid and the cuttings had turned to moldy mush. Ick!

My best guess is that the plastic bags are the main culprit. The cuttings must have released moisture, which got caught in the bags and caused them to steam-cook and mold.

Lucky for me, I can easily spare more cuttings and pups. Next time, I'll definitely skip the plastic bags and pay the extra 50 cents for Priority Mail. Duh!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

cactusjordi
17 years ago
You are so right... now!

Jordi
caudex1
17 years ago
Lesson learned...The warmth and moisture release from the foliage is trapped within the plastic causing the sauna effect.

When I ship cuttings I wrap them in paper towel and surround with newsprint, all that paper absorbs any moisture. Also ship priority.
Related Professionals
Chattanooga Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Brunswick Landscape Contractors · Evansville Landscape Contractors · Westminster Landscape Contractors · Jackson Landscape Contractors · Johnson City Landscape Contractors · Murfreesboro Landscape Contractors · Danville Landscape Contractors · New Bedford Landscape Contractors · Durango Landscape Contractors · Topeka General Contractors · Abilene General Contractors · Dubuque General Contractors · Muskegon General Contractors · Evanston General Contractors
curious_plants
17 years ago
yep same as caudex1, priority shipping only for me

4.95 mostly everything less than 1 pound

I always ship priority and no troubles so far, abel
User
17 years ago
Priority AND newspaper. Works for me, cause I mostly grow succulents, but one of the gifted & generous growers who was a friend & mentor in succulents showed me as well.

If a rooted non-succulents, I've had success wrapping just the rooted ends in bit of long sphag & then a bag of its own, but wrapped around only the base of the cuttings & leave upper areas open to the open air so that they can breathe as well.