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(Mini plants, wedding plants, favors and some specialty items excluded.)
We ship healthy, high quality plants and inspect each one prior to shipment. But it is important to remember that plants are natural, living things and are not always perfect. They may have minor imperfections or blemishes. Our larger plants are grown outdoors and are subject to Mother Nature, they may show occasional signs of weathering. All are healthy plants and will grow through any imperfections. In the short term, leaves with imperfections can be trimmed with scissors, the bottom or outer leaves of succulents can be trimmed or plucked (plants grow from the center). Enjoy your plants for what they are when you receive them and what they will become with your loving care.
Upon Receipt
Dust off any soil from the plant. Pot in a loose soil which allows rapid water drainage. You may wish to add perlite or other inorganic material to your soil, this helps the water drain and avoids soil compaction.
Let your plants settle in for several days without water unless weather is extremely hot and dry. (If your plant was shipped potted, no need to plant it, of course.) If there is a plastic bag containing the pot or the roots, remove the bag.
Light
Plants will grow best in medium to bright filtered light. Avoid immediately placing them in direct burning sun, however, as they can sunburn unless given a chance to acclimate. If you notice any discoloration (red or purple) it is likely sun stress, move to more filtered light.
Temperature
The best temperature range for is 45-90 F. Cacti and succulents cannot usually withstand freezing, you may need to move them indoors or cover them in winter.
Water
Allow the soil to dry completely between watering. It is hard to kill them with too little water, but they can easily drown with too much. Don’t be afraid to poke your finger deep into the soil to check for moisture.
Do not “mist” cacti or succulents, water is not love and mist is not a kiss. Many are susceptible to skin fungus and other moisture-related problems.
Fertilizer
A liquid fertilizer may be added monthly during the growth season (not during dormancy). Plants drink their nutrition, but, they don’t like to swim in it, so make certain that your soil drains well.
Dormancy
Many plants become dormant in the winter. They may soften or lose their leaves. They need little or no water during this period.
Transit
We’ve noticed that some plants lose their leaves or start dormancy after transit, most likely because of the darkness in the box. Once they are planted and a normal routine established, they soon get back on cycle.
Replanting a Cutting
Let the cutting form a callous over the cut area. This can take 4-10 days (the larger the plant, the longer the period). The callous prevents insects and moisture from entering the plant. Plant in dry soil. The plant will be thirsty and send out roots… this is your indicator to start watering.
Potting Soil
The plants like well draining soil, this helps water flow through. Plants drink their nutrition, but then they like to dry. So adding some perlite or any other inorganic material to the soil helps the water flow process and the plant.
Types of Potting Containers
People ask us whether the type of potting container makes a difference – we don’t think so. What is most important is that the container is sized proportionally to the plant and has drainage hole.
Opuntia Pads
These lovable paddles root very quickly when placed in dry soil. We always ship with callous formed, but, they’ll do best in dry soil. Leave them dry a few weeks and the roots will come out seeking water.
Hanging Plants
We ship them potted with hanger. Occasionally during transit some of the hanging stems (or “pearls” on string of pearls, beads on the sedum) may come off. Don’t throw them away, just place them back into the pot and they will soon form their own roots and become the next generation of stems.
Lithops and Living Rocks
These little guys like it very dry. In fact, you likely don’t need to water lithops at all during winter. At any given time, they are in the process of forming a new pair of leaves in their center… and devouring the old pair of leaves as their nutrient source. So, don’t despair when the outer leaves go limp.
Recycling
We recycle everything that we can. For this reason, you may find recycled newspapers, grocery bags and other recyclable materials in your shipment. Pass them along if you can, give the earth a break.
Mailing List
You can sign up for e-news through our website. We send occasional information and plant specials. We will never give out your name, nor rent or sell the list. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Special Orders
We welcome special orders – we’ve provided plants for weddings, photo shoots, movies, product introductions, trade show invitations and many other events. Keep us in mind when your next event rolls around. For information or quotes, contact us at info@cactuslimon.com.
