How to Properly Care for a Mail Order Plant or Tree

Have you ever scoured your local nurseries or big box stores looking for that one plant or tree you’ve been dying to grow, only to come home empty handed?  Well if so, I feel your pain! 

Occasionally there are plants that just aren’t readily available in our local areas for various reasons and our only option is to turn to online ordering.  There are many nurseries across the country that will ship via mail, freight, or air that has what you’re looking for. 

What do you look for when ordering online?

If you’ve never purchased a plant or tree online you may be wondering how it all works or where to go.  It’s quite simple to find various online options by searching for the specific plant you’re looking to purchase or just searching for online nurseries.  The process for ordering online is fairly similar to anything else you would order online.  Here are a few things to consider:

Reputation

Word of mouth is always a great way to get insight on the reputation of a business.  Ask local gardeners through forums or social media groups where they have purchased mail order plants from or who they recommend. 

Search for anyone that has purchased from the nursery you are intent on buying from.  Google reviews on the business can help show how that business has treated previous customers. 

Backing What They Sell

A good business is going to stand by their product and ensure customer satisfaction.  Take a look at the nurseries guarantees or refund policies before making your purchase.  I like to read their “get to know me” page or “about me” type sections to get a feel for why they do what they do. 

I want to buy from someone that takes pride in what they’re selling and believes in their produce.  Consider what types of guarantees or refunds they provide, this also shows that they back what they sell. 

Safety

This goes hand and hand with the other tips mentioned, but make sure that payment options are secure.  You should be provided receipt of payment and be on a secure website when making your plant purchase.

RECOMMENDED RELATED POST: Best Places to Buy Fruit Trees Online

Tips to Consider when Ordering Online

Shipping to My State

Certain states have agriculture guidelines that prohibit or limit what plants are allowed to be shipped or transported into the state.  If transporting shipments of plants or trees across state lines they most likely will need to go through an inspection process before being allowed into the state. 

States like Arizona, where I reside, have strict probation against citrus entering the state due to harmful bacteria and diseases that can be transported threatening local crops.  California also has many regulations when it comes to allowing outside plants into the state. 

It’s important to make sure the nursery you are purchasing from is following guidelines and allowed to ship to your state.  Check your local agriculture department’s website for further information. 

Shipping Time

The less time your plant spends in a box travelling the better.  If you order later in the week, keep in mind that if it ships right away it may have to spend an extra day over the weekend somewhere. 

I prefer to order on a Monday or from someone that only ships once or twice a week during optimal days.  Priority or Air shipping can be options but typically come with a hefty price tag. 

Weather

Keep in mind the current weather forecast during the week or so that you intend to order your plant.  Extreme heat or cold could be detrimental to your plant making it less likely to survive the shipping process. 

Temps that are just starting to warm in the spring or cool in late summer can be great times of the year to order.  A lot will depend on your climate region. 

Be Ready for your Plant

The last thing you want is for your plant to arrive and you aren’t prepared for it.  Make sure you order and will be home when it arrives or shortly thereafter.  Have your soil, planter, or site ready to go.

What should you expect when ordering online?

Most reputable nurseries have perfected the art of shipping.  Plants or trees should be secured in the box so they aren’t moving around in transit. 

I’ve seen plants come in burlap bags or other environmental friendly containers.  These are great to keep the soil from spilling during transit and make for easy planting. 

Some plants may even be shipped without soil.  I’ve had plants shipped with the roots wrapped in moist paper towels.  Bare root fruit trees can look like a large stick in a box and make for easy shipping. 

Don’t be alarmed when these are planted they will come to life in the spring.

It’s not uncommon for plants to become stressed during shipping which can result in some leaf drop either during shipping or shortly in the days after arrival.  Don’t panic!  With proper care your plant will recover. 

How do you get your mail order plant ready for planting?

If you’ve purchased a bare root fruit tree.  It’s relatively easy to get ready for planting.  Since the fruit tree is already dormant without any foliage, all that’s really needed is to soak the roots for a bit, then plant it outdoors. 

See my related post: Pug a Fruit Tree for great info on planting a bare root fruit tree. 

For all other mail order plants, proper care will be needed before planting it outdoors.  When I receive a mail order plant here are the steps I take to ensure that it will thrive in its new environment.

Step 1: Unbox your plant and completely remove it from all packaging. 

Step 2: Ensure that your plant is hydrated by thoroughly watering.

Step 3: Allow your plant to rest indoors for 24-48 hours. If plants were shipped without soil, plant immediately in a container. Spritzing with water occasionally throughout the day can help keep humidity levels higher.

Step 4: For indoor plants, plant in its container while being kept in a shady spot.  For outdoor plants or trees, if already in a container start re-introducing it to the outdoors in shade only. 

Step 5: Slowly acclimate the plant to sun exposure by increasing the amount of sunlight over a period of several days

Step 6: For outdoor plants or trees, plant in its permanent location.

Remember that shipping can stress your plant or trees, so leaves may drop, discolor, or limbs can break during shipping.  Remove any broken limbs or damage from shipping.  Fertilizer should never be applied immediately after shipping and only after plants have begun growing again as needed.

I have successfully ordered several fruit trees and plants online. It’s a great way to find those plants or trees that aren’t readily available in your local area.   Many of the fruit trees that I’ve ordered online are thriving today. 

Ordering plants online can be a smooth process by taking a few things into consideration before ordering.  By having a basic understanding of what do when your plants arrive, it’ll make all the difference with keeping your mail order plants happy upon arrival.