From Anna
Banana: Shipping and planting during hot weather
Q: I
received email notification that my order was delayed due to hot weather. Why? And
do I need to do anything special if I plant when it is hot?
A: When
plants are shipped via FedEx Ground, it is hot in the truck! According to our
FedEx area manager information, if outside temperature is 100 degrees, inside
the truck it can be 130! We don't want to put your plants through that much
stress. We monitor the weather at destination, and as soon as it cools down a
little bit, your order will be shipped.
Planting during
hot weather:
1. For a mail-ordered plant follow planting instructions and never
plant it from the box directly into the ground. Keep it in a pot the size of a
root ball until the plant recovers from shipping stress, re-grows root system
and adjusts from several days of darkness to a bright light. Move the pot
gradually into brighter light, eventually into a spot of its permanent home. Do
not over water the pot. Once you see new growth - the plant is ready to be
transplanted into the ground.
2. Use only quality soil, containing lots of organic matter (compost, peat
moss); soil conditioner is beneficial (pine bark). Plant it on a little hill,
so growing point is elevated 1-1.5"above the rest of the surface.
3. Put a good layer of mulch around the plant, at least 1-2" thick, and not
too close to the trunk as it may cause stem rot on contact.
4. Water daily with a garden hose until the plant shows active growth -
then watering may be reduced every other day or less, or you may rely on
sprinklers and/or rains.
5. If the sun is too hot, use shade cloth (or simply a white bed sheet) to
cover the plant for the first few days (use bamboo sticks for support). It
will help the plant to establish without heat stress. If leaves start dropping
- this may be a sign of excessive light and heat. Shading is the way to
reduce it.
6. Use SUNSHINE booster to help plants overcome heat stress, and shipping
stress. It really works!
Remember that a plant has a very slow nature, unlike creatures from
animal world. Give it some time and never rush it into new conditions. Go slowly
and patiently - this is the only way to get a reward of a fruit crop or a
beautiful flower.
