After Receiving Your Plant
When you receive your shipment, please open it immediately. The best way to do this is to cut the tape at the edges of the corrugated paper, peeling back the paper carefully without damaging the plant. Next, cut through the narrow tape at the base of the plant, open the plastic bag, and slide the pot out.

Some plants with large root systems will be packaged with bare roots. After peeling off the corrugated paper it is best to lay the plant flat on a table and carefully cut open the plastic bag and the narrow tape.

If it is not possible to care for the plant immediately, you'll still need to free it from the corrugated paper cover. Plant the bare root plants as soon as possible. Some of the potted plants might need re-potting soon after you receive them.

Re-Potting and Planting
The growing media on the roots are rich in nutrients. Just put the plant in a bigger pot or plant in the garden as it is. Our experience is that the plant suffers less from the transplanting shock if the root system is not disturbed.

Before shipping we check those plants that are past their re-potting time. If the roots are too tangled, we will loosen them up to the extent which will be sufficient for successful re-potting. When putting it in fresh soil, gently pull apart the roots to point outward.

Some of the bigger bananas have very long roots. For these, place the plant in a reasonably sized pot while holding it in one hand. With the other hand fill up the pot so that the long roots are at a  distance from the base of the plant.

Root Trimming – Avoid it if possible!
Bananas and some other fast growing tropical plants don't mind too much if the roots are trimmed back, but it is still a setback for them.

NEVER trim the roots of palm trees! Some will survive, but many will suffer a slow death. There are palms, such as Bismarckia, Queen Palm, and Triangle Palm, that will certainly die if the main root is cut. Palms have a very hard time to re-develop their roots, and those palms that do survive a root trimming develop slower than normal.

Watering
If possible, use lukewarm water for indoor plants. Letting the water stand for a few hours allows most of the chlorine to evaporate. It is also a good idea to thoroughly shower the plant with water on occasion.

If a plant has to endure temperatures below its normal range, water it less frequently and keep its surrounding humidity low.

Fertilizer
Most plants do fine with balanced fertilizer. Do not over fertilize indoor plants – because the watering is usually limited to the need of the plant, it doesn't have a chance to wash out the excess fertilizer.

Winter Protection
You can create a warmer microclimate by planting your plant close to the house, in the shelter of larger plants, trees, or near the swimming pool. Mulching or frost blanket helps prevent winter damage.

Sun and Shade
Your new plants have just endured a long trip in a very dark box. It is a good idea to help them to adjust to the full sun exposure. For about 2 weeks you might want to provide shade at least from the noon and afternoon sun.