What to Expect when Purchasing Plants via the Internet.
Purchasing plants online, has become quite popular, although the practice is not new. There are many conveniences, one being a wider selection of plants, such as exotics, that would not be available from the local growers. I shop for plants online often, and also support the local smaller nurseries. Often this is the way people try their hand at gardening. This happened during the lockdowns, many took up gardening, and became plant enthusiasts. While this is convenient plants do undergo stress whenever moved, more so, when they travel by mail.
When plants are more factors to consider, such as the time in transit, and the temperature changes as it travels through the different states. During their journey they will be away from light, air, and have limited water, and space, which are all what they need to survive, and thrive. There are many variables that can go wrong with the travel logistics.
While I have had an excellent experience with the post office, no system is perfect, and there can be delays, or other problems. As a buyer and seller, I have had a 97% success rate with the US post office, and even other carriers. Once the plant leaves our hands we really have no control of what occurs in transit though.
It is also worth noting that many of the plants sold online are starter plants or smaller plants, to keep the cost of shipping as affordable as possible. This may make the plants more vulnerable to stress, as well. On occasion a plant may not look well, but with proper care, springs back up. Some plants are very resilient, and others not as much. Some take a few days to acclimate to their new environment. Don’t get discouraged if at first the plant does not look too happy. Give it a few days to recuperate. This is the beauty and the risk of engaging with live plants.
The recommendations below are a general guide for most plants. It is important that you gather information and become comfortable with your specific plant. I highly recommend that you find your plants natural habitat information and duplicate that environment. If it is an outdoor plant, then I would select something that is either a native species, or appropriate for your climate.
- When you first receive your plant, it is best to unpack it, as soon as possible, and very carefully, so neither the roots, nor the leaves are damaged.
- Inspect the plant, take pictures if you see any damage, or have any concerns.
- At this point I usually place the plant in water and prepare the medium.
- After the plant has been in water and is properly hydrated most plants will go into potting soil mixed with compost, or some nutrients, all organic.
While most shipping is done with wet roots, too much water can cause damage to the roots. The amount of moisture is limited and when plants are mailed, sometimes they need additional hydration, when they arrive.
The time required to hydrate will depend on the plant. If it is a succulent I might not immerse it in water first, such as the Christmas cactus. It is depending on the plant’s needs. . It is important to treat the roots carefully when planting, and make sure that the soil is not too high up on the stem ,or the trunk , as this can damage the plant.
It is important that you become familiar with your plant needs, since all plants have their own requirements.
Not all plants travel well. Some react the moment they are taken out of their medium here, and some not at all. Those that react, show signs of stress, they can look droopy, some leaves may yellow, or some other irregularity. The healthy plants will spring back up once it is replanted in it’s new location . Some plants take several days.
In choosing a location, remember the light requirements for the specific plant During the first few days to weeks, while the plant gets acclimated, check it often to make sure it does not dry out completely, some plants do well with dryer soil. Your plant should flourish when the environment is favorable and then comes the reward of seeing your new addition blossom.
I am attaching a link that has an extensive article on transplanting without stressing the plant. I do hope you enjoy your gardening and get comfortable with it as it is truly rewarding experience. Gardening has been shown to have numerous benefits for our well being, and with regenerative practices, even the environment benefits.
Happy Planting!
https://www.happyhydro.com/blogs/news/how-to-transplant-with-minimal-stress-to-your-plants
