Are you impatiently waiting for your new plant to arrive? Once it finally arrives, you should do your best to make its acclimation period as optimal as possible.
Plants undergo a fair amount of stress during the shipping journey, meaning their strength has to be restored once unpacked. No direct light, repotting, and fertilization are recommended early on.
These tips will assist you take proper care of your greenery after delivery.
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Unpack it immediately
The inceptive tip for taking care of a plant after delivery is to unpack it immediately. While this piece of advice might sound obvious, some people have the habit of leaving boxes unopened for days, which shouldn’t be the case with house plants. You are suggested to open the package as soon as possible by removing any tape, plastic, shredded paper, or other packaging materials used for greenery protection during shipping. This article reveals three effective methods of sending plants.
Make sure to open the box in the bathroom or, even better, outdoors due to the possibility of shipping contents getting shifted and messy, particularly when ordering a potted plant. If you see any signs of damage, do not forget to take pictures to document it. Photographs are necessary to provide proof if asking for a replacement or refund. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t ask for a refund just because the plant has lost a few leaves, as stress is normal during transport.
After removing all the visible packaging, it’s time to check for hidden packaging as well. Hidden packaging usually refers to growth mesh and ties, which restrict the growth of greenery. Bear in mind that ordering flora during the coldest and hottest months of the year isn’t exactly recommended unless you wish to receive frozen or cooked greenery.
Water if dry
When ordering potted plants, you should immediately check how dry the soil is by touching it with your finger. If the surface is dry, you should provide it with enough water. In contrast, if the soil is moist, make sure not to water it. When the soil is too dry, the plant is likely to look weak and sad. Nevertheless, it can still thrive if provided with the right treatment.
After taking the greenery out of the box, place the pot in water to help it absorb water from the bottom. The role of water is to make the roots stronger and better prepared for getting repotted. After having your plants delivered, proper care is a must. Once the soil is moist, you should leave them to recover for at least a few weeks in order to adapt to the new living space. It’s of the utmost importance to refrain from repotting right away, as it causes more shock and stress to the roots.
In case the soil is already moist, you aren’t supposed to put even more water. Too much water is never beneficial for the roots, and it complicates the adaptation process. Once again, you aren’t supposed to repot, as plants have a tendency of becoming overly sensitive when moved around too much.
Transfer it to soil if necessary
When ordering a plant without a container, you should transfer it to soil after its arrival. Make sure to have potting soil handy and a deep enough container for the soil to be able to cover the roots. Anyhow, this tip doesn’t apply to pre-potted greenery, as it should acclimate to the new environment for about a month. During the acclimation period, flora shouldn’t be overwatered or moved abruptly from pitch black to bright light.
Repotting the greenery too early is a huge mistake, as it was shipped in a dark box for days before seeing the first rays of sunlight once unpacked. A period of at least two weeks is necessary for your new plant to acclimate to its new home and restore its strength. After the acclimation period is over and it should be moved to a larger pot, don’t go up more than one pot size.
Don’t expose it to bright light too early
Another mistake to avoid after receiving your plant is exposing it to bright light right away. You should avoid direct sunshine for approximately two weeks. Even if your new succulent or fern loves sunlight, it should adjust to indirect light for several weeks before exposing it to direct sunlight. The light should be increased gradually by placing the pot at a window with no direct sun exposure but bright light only. See this link, for a better understanding of natural light for houseplants.
Unless the light is gradually increased, there’s a high risk of burning the plant. It’s the same as individuals getting sunburnt on their vacation after spending the entire winter indoors. The leaves should get a base tan before being exposed to direct sunlight. This shouldn’t be a worry for greenery that prefers shady areas.
Increase humidity
Another trick to use to aid the transition of your new potted friend to your home environment is to increase humidity. While this step isn’t necessary for all forms of greenery, it applies to those that need plenty of humidity to thrive. Use a plastic bag to cover the pot and leave it on for a week.
In conclusion
By following these tips, your new potted companion will adjust far more quickly and thrive without any problems!
