Thank you for your order from Plant Leaf Shop! Your plants have spent several days travelling. Here are a few simple tips to help you settle them into their new growing environment.
📦 1. Packaging Designed to Protect Your Plants
I use specially adapted, sealed plastic packaging to protect tropical plants during shipping. It helps maintain high humidity, a little like a temporary mini terrarium. Your plants are shipped in their original pots and substrate to protect their delicate root systems.
🌱 2. Install Your Plants as Soon as They Arrive
Carefully remove the protective packaging and adhesive tape. You can install your plants directly into your terrarium, paludarium or orchidarium. My advice: keep the original root ball and substrate intact. This avoids unnecessary handling and reduces the risk of damaging delicate roots.
đź’ˇ 3. Reduce Light Intensity for the First 2 Days
Your plants have spent several days in a dark shipping box. I recommend reducing light intensity for the first 48 hours. Afterwards, gradually increase the lighting until you reach the normal growing conditions for each species.
đź’§ 4. Focus on Ambient Humidity
For the tropical plants I grow and sell that require high humidity, I generally recommend 80–90% relative humidity. I do not recommend spraying water directly onto the foliage of any species. Instead, maintain suitable ambient humidity with good air circulation.
🌿 5. Adapt the Setup to Your Plants
- Climbing plants: provide a support such as a branch, cork, Hygrolon or xaxim.
- Begonias and iridescent plants: gentle, diffused light without stagnant moisture on the leaves.
- Ferns and mosses: diffused light and consistently high humidity.
- Epiphytic plants and orchids: suitable mounting supports and good ventilation.
- Neoregelia: brighter lighting generally encourages more vibrant colours.
🌿 My Specific Care Tips for Your Plants
Each plant has its own growing requirements. Here are a few additional recommendations to help you choose the right conditions.
Climbing Plants
Plant them in a suitable substrate and provide a support such as Hygrolon, a branch or xaxim. This allows them to climb and gradually attach themselves as they grow.
Begonias
Choose gentle lighting and avoid excessive light intensity. Maintain high humidity while ensuring moisture does not remain on the foliage.
Classic Sonerila
Their growing requirements are similar to those of Begonias: gentle light, high humidity and good airflow. Leaves should dry quickly if condensation forms.
Sonerila “Eggshape”
These plants grow as epiphytes. I recommend mounting them on xaxim or cork with a little sphagnum moss around the roots. Good ventilation is essential.
Paludarium Plants
Use a well-draining substrate and maintain suitable humidity. Even in these humid environments, I recommend avoiding direct spraying onto the foliage.
Orchids
For epiphytic orchids, choose a suitable mounting support and medium to bright light, depending on the species. Good ventilation is essential.
Neoregelia
Position them towards the upper part of your terrarium, closer to the lighting. Brighter light generally helps develop more vibrant colours.
Ferns and Mosses
Provide diffused light and consistent humidity. Keep growing conditions stable and avoid excessively strong lighting.
Emblemantha and Labisia
I recommend medium to slightly shaded lighting with high ambient humidity. Avoid overly intense light.
Iridescent Plants
Choose diffused light suited to the species. High humidity is important, but the foliage should not remain constantly wet.
❤️ One Last Tip
High humidity + good airflow + suitable lighting: these are three essential elements for a successful terrarium. Every species has its own requirements, but these simple precautions will help your new plants settle in.
Have a question? Feel free to contact me on Instagram @plant_leaf_. Happy growing! Plant Leaf Shop 🌿