TRANSITION AND WATERING: Place all plants in an area with moderate temperatures (72-85°F) and good light, but NOT in direct sunlight, for at least two to three weeks until they adjust from shipping in darkness. Keep them in the shade only!
Allow the plants one to two weeks to adjust to their new environment before transplanting or fertilizing, and always GRADUALLY increase their exposure to sunlight and outdoor conditions. Temperatures falling below 60°F can result in plant damage. Check each pot to see if it requires watering and water those pots.
We recommend using rainwater or reverse osmosis (RO) water for watering plants. The water pH should be 5.0-6.0, and the temperature should be 72-85°F.
REPOTTING AND POTTING SOIL: Once your plants have acclimated from shipping (in two to three weeks), gradually repot them into larger pots. For example, move a plant from a 2.5" pot into a 4"-6" diameter, 6-12" deep pot. Repotting into too large of a pot too soon can increase susceptibility to root diseases. Turn the pot upside down and gently tap the edges to release the root ball from the container. NEVER pull on the stem of the plant! When repotting, be careful not to fray the roots, as the root system will easily expand into new soil. I recommend purchasing a soil-less or peat-lite potting mix such as Pro-Mix (MP, PG, HP CC, BX), Sunshine, or Farfard Potting soils. Watering after replanting: give the plant a good drink and do not water again very soon. Do not let the plant sit in water all the time. We water young plants 2-3 times a week during the growth period.
Humidity: Healthy plant growth is best maintained at levels above 50% relative humidity; the recommended relative humidity for many tropical plants is 60-80%.
Our Recommended Growing Setup: Temperature: minimum 72°F during the night, 80-95°F during the day, humidity 60-80%. Replant plants in larger pots with some draining material like pumice on the bottom (1-2 inches). Use a pro mix potting mix such as Pro Mix MP, PG, etc. Include 1-2 tablespoons of fertilizer like Espoma Holly-tone. Add some mulch 1-2 inches on top, but ensure it does not touch the stem of the plant. Place the growing pot in a plate not deeper than the thickness of your draining material. Water the plant and let the water stand in the plate for the first 1-2 days. Use 60-75% shade cloth from the top and all sides and place the plant in partial shade at the beginning. After a month or two, move it to full sun under the shade cloth. Replace with
40-50% shade cloth a year later.
These are common mistakes made in the first four weeks:
1. Exposing the plant to direct sunlight.
2. Watering the plant with tap water containing chlorine, with a water pH above 6.5 (a calibrated pH meter may be needed), or over-fertilizing with synthetic fertilizers.
3. Planting in the ground or in pots that are too large, using low-quality potting mixes or soils from home improvement stores.
4. Overwatering or letting the plant dry out, exposing it to temperatures below 60°F or above 100°F, and maintaining relative humidity below 50%.
