Most rose varieties are easily propagated by cuttings. Mailing cuttings is an easy and inexpensive way to share roses to friends, relatives and other gardening enthusiasts. The key to successfully shipping rose cuttings is to keep the cut tips moist. It is also best to ship rose cuttings during cooler weather to prevent them from drying out while in transit. Here are some tips on how to properly pack and ship rose cuttings to ensure that they will arrive in good condition.
To keep the rose stems fresh, take your cuttings in the morning of shipping day. Stems are turgid during this period and will ensure that the cutting will survive in transit.
The cuttings should be no longer than the width of a gallon Ziploc bag. If possible, make a slanted cut between leaf nodes, so the recipient can make a fresh cut if necessary. Remove all but 2 to 3 sets of leaves on top of the stem.
Wrap the bottoms of the cuttings in moist (not soaking) paper towels. Bundle cuttings and place horizontally inside a Ziploc bag. If you are shipping many cuttines, divide the stems in several bags. Roll the bag around the cuttings, pressing out any extra air, and seal. Use a waterproof marker to write labels or the name of the rose variety on the bags.
Place the bags in a cardboard box and use crumpled newspaper to fill empty spaces and prevent any movement. Use a small a box to keep the shipping cost down, but make sure the cuttings can fit in the box without bending or forcing them in.
Close the box and seal with packaging tape. Address and label the package and take to your local post office or shipping company. The USPS Priority Mail services is a cost effective way to ship rose cuttings. Priority Mail boxes are available for free from the post office or you can order them at the USPS website.