How to Ship Fig Cuttings
Q&A
Fig Cuttings Info and how to ship in Canada
Fig cuttings should always be wrapped with some plastic wrap right after they are cut form the tree. In Canada during the winter, some areas can experience extreme cold temperatures for Fig trees, and yes even for fig cuttings. Generally the faster the shipping service is, the less time the fig cuttings are on the road, and the less time they are susceptible to damaging weather. Typically I like to have a layer of bubble wrap around my fig trees or cuttings if I’m shipping in the winter time and I use a quick shipping service usually overnight. I also always have a FRAGILE or Handle with Care label on the outside of the package or box.
How long will a fig cutting last?
Generally I like to use my fig cuttings as soon as I get them because I believe; the fresher they are, the less susceptible they are to mold and to drying out. However there are people that have kept their fig cuttings in the fridge wrapped and were still successful in rooting.
What is the most economical way to ship fig cuttings across Canada?
If speed is not an issue, most of the time Canada post is going to be the most economical option for most of Canada. However, if you are trying to ship it quickly then depending on where it’s going I would explore options such as Purolator, ICS and UPS. many times you can use a service such as netparcel.com to shop many carriers at once.
Does Size Matter?
As far as shipping goes the size of your cuttings and the weight of the total package will affect the price that you or your client will pay for shipping. When shipping in Canada you have to keep in mind that some areas are very remote and will constitute a higher price for shipping. One of the advantages available on FigTrades.ca is an auto calculation of the shipping rate for the purchaser based on the shipping address and the receiving address.
Can I ship across the border or outside Canada?
Shipping outside the country is not a simple process. Most countries including the USA have a strict policy of not allowing any cuttings, plants or trees in without a phytosanitary certificate. Getting this certificate usually involves a thorough inspection by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The process includes the verification of the plant species, the origin of the plant materials, and any treatments they have undergone.
Loss or damge! Am I insured?
Many shipping companies will have a policy against insuring plants or trees. Most of the time if your shipment is wrapped properly you will not have a problem with damage. However, it's always best tot check the policy of your shipping company.
Check out this packing & shipping a fig tree video.
What's the coldest temperature that I can ship fig cuttings or fig trees?
I've shipped fig cuttings when it was -20 Celsius and they were always fine. I usually wrap everything with an extra layer of bubble wrap which provides a lot of cold protection. If it's colder than that and you are worried you can always add a hot pack to your package to keep it warm during it's travels get one here