A city without plants in and around it would look barren. No matter how much we deny it, plants are vital for our very survival. They provide food and sustenance for us. We also use them to mark important milestones in our lives by offering flowers to the celebrant.
Plants even provide a source of income to humans when we sell and buy them. The benefits go on and on. Traditionally, they have always been bought from farms or nurseries. It wasn’t until e-commerce became main-stream that online plant businesses started booming. Click here to learn more about the growth of e-commerce.
Now you can buy a plant online from the comfort of your home. However, before you make your first purchase, there are certain things you should know. Read the article carefully so you don’t miss any important information.
Dos & Don’ts Of Buying Plants Online
Below are a few important dos and don’ts to note before placing your order:
Focus On The Details
We often skim through the fine print when making a purchase online. Most times it is due to impatience, but it is important we don’t gloss over these when buying a plant online. What you see on a seller’s website is often a heavily doctored photo of the plant. It is meant to look as aesthetically pleasing as possible.
You might be surprised to see a root on your delivery date. An online plant seller would have included it in the fine print that they deliver roots. That photo might just be a representation of what the plant would look like in the future. But if you ignore the fine print you would miss all this information.
Consider The Temperature In Your Location
Some plants thrive better in cold climates and others in warm or hot regions. You have to make proper research on the type of environment that’s appropriate for the healthy growth of the plant you wish to purchase. You don’t want a plant that wilts after some days and you end up blaming it on the seller.
With proper preparation, you can get the plant that is perfect for your location.
Be Mindful Of Planting Seasons
If you wish to buy seeds from an online plant vendor for a mini-farm perhaps, it is important you know your seasons. At certain times in the year, the weather is perfect for growing a particular plant; while at other times, not so much.
If you’re buying seeds for home use, make proper research on the conditions for planting it.
Consider The Estimated Growth Size Of The Plant
Let’s assume you buy a potted bamboo with no idea of how big this plant can get, you’ll be left with a plant too big for the space available. Consider the amount of space you have available and buy a plant that is right for it.
A limited space would also hinder your herbage from reaching its full potential. Sunlight might not reach all the parts of the plant adequately and this would stunt its growth. By keeping space management in mind when making your purchase, you will get a plant perfect for your home. Visit https://extension.umn.edu/ to learn more about lighting for indoor plants.
Don’t Be Afraid To Spend More For Better Quality
Most times when we decide to patronize cheap online sellers with little to no reviews it often comes back to bite us. Their customer care is often unreliable and they have bad return policies. Don’t be afraid to spend a little extra to get quality products from reliable sellers. The few extra dollars you spend could save you a lot of stress in the future.
This also applies to the shipping mode you choose. Choosing a faster delivery mode means your herbage will feel the sunlight and breeze quicker. Plants that spend long periods of time in shipping often have problems growing on arrival. This is because they lacked access to nutrients and sunlight for an extended period.
What to Do When Your Plant Arrives
It is a moment of elation and relief when your herbage finally arrives safely. Even though some of these steps might seem obvious for a pro, let’s go through some of them for the sake of the newbies.
- Remove the plant from the carrier box: This is best done outdoors because of the dirt and grime in the soil and the plant’s roots. Do not leave the plant unopened for days in your home. You have no one but yourself to blame if it dies.
- Move it to your desired location: Depending on the type of plant and the seller, your flower or vegetable might not come with a flower pot. In this scenario, it is necessary to transfer it to the pre-selected planting spot. If your plant comes in a pot then you have no worries. Simply place it anywhere you want and move to the next step.
If you prefer a flower pot and your order doesn’t come with one, this Planted Pot home page could be helpful.
- Give it a lot of water: Your flower has probably spent days in transit deprived of sunlight and water. Give it a lot of water but make sure you don’t overwater it though. This step depends on the type of plant too, make your research!
Conclusion
Preparing for your plant is pretty simple and straightforward. If you follow these steps it is unlikely you would encounter any challenge. By doing the right thing, we would get the plant that best suits our homes.
