Receiving Orthodox Seeds

Orthodox seeds are essentially seeds that can be dried and stored for varying prolonged times. These are typically seeds that can be kept and sown later when the season matches or divided up into seed packets for your retails sales.

Orthodox seeds should remain sealed until ready for use to avoid humidity, pests etc. from entering the bags. Depending on species, seeds should be stored between 0-10C and kept in a dry dark place.

Seed Germination Techniques

Growing Cacti from Seed

Receiving Recalcitrant Seeds

Recalcitrant seeds are seeds that cannot withstand freezing or drying and generally have a short shelf life of viability. Recalcitrant seeds should be grown immediately upon arrival.

Depending on the species recalcitrant seeds will be packed differently. For some species (E.g Camelia sinensis - Tea) seeds will be sent bare in bags without additional packing material. For other species (Eg. Durio zibethinus - Durian) are shipped in slightly moistened sphagnum moss to prevent dehydration, allow germination during transit and prevent fungal growth. For countries that do allow the import of sphagnum moss, other moisture retaining media will be substituted after confirmation with the importer (Eg. vermiculite).

Germination Techniques for Tropical Recalcitrant Seeds

How to germinate Durio species - Durian seed germination

Receiving Plantlets, Bulbs, Bulbils, Suckers, Slips etc

These are little plants taken from a mother plant. Unlike cuttings which are just sections of leaf, stem or root, these are more like mini plants emerging from the parent plant. Bulbils for example like the little plantlets from the flower of Agave americana. Slips and suckers are like those plantlets from the stems of Pineapple.

Depending on the species' climatic preferences, they will be packed accordingly. For example Agave americana bulbils will be shipped bare root in a box as they prefer drier situations and rot should be prevented. Species that are a more wet species may be packed into bags with a packing material such as sphagnum moss or vermiculite.

All of these products should be planted immediately upon arrival. It is important to shade all plants from intense sun wen firs potted or planted as the shipping journey is completely dark and they may sun burn if placed into direct sun. Acclimate plants according to species.

Receiving Cuttings

Cuttings are normally unrooted and either fresh cut or calloused prior to shipping. Rooted cuttings can be treated as plants but more sensitive. Cuttings of dry climate species (Eg. Hylocereus sp. & Opuntia ficus-indica) are normally packed bare or wrapped in newsprint into boxes.

Follow each species' specific requirements for rooting and planting. Some species require more shade until rooting is achieved. Some species (Eg. many cacti and succulents) require less water until roots form. Others (Eg. Limnophila aromatica and Persicaria odorata) can be rooted in clean water and planted when strong roots form.

Receiving Plants and Rooted Cuttings

Dry climate species (Eg. Opuntia cochenillifera) are normally packed bare root and wrapped in newsprint into boxes. Wetter climate species (Eg. Coffea arabica) will normally be packed either fully into bags with moistened packing material (sphagnum moss or vermiculite) or their root balls will be packed into bags with packing materials.

Plant the plants immediately upon arrival with the exception of cacti and some succulents. Remove any sphagnum moss from the roots and plants before replanting. Some vermiculite on the roots will be fine to be planted with the plant.

Receiving Tubers, Rhizomes & Other Root Products

Species such as ginger, turmeric, galangal etc. can be planted upon arrival and watered down to start.

Minisets and tuber/rot sections can be planted upon arrival but depending on species keep watering to a minimum in the very beginning to prevent rot. Refer to each species' specific conditions.

It may be beneficial for some species to let sit out on a sheet in the shade for a day or 2 to "air out" prior to planting and allow any breaks to callous and for the grower to first inspect and remove any damages pieces.

Receiving Scions for Grafting

Be sure to have all your rootstocks ready and set to be grafted ASAP upon arrival.

Scions should be sent via the fastest possible method (Courier is best). Upon arrival remove any packaging material and clean the scions well as there will undoubtedly be some bacteria and fungal growth during the shipping time.

We do not advertise scions for sale on the website due to the difficulty in logistics and we only sell to professional persons. If interested, please contact us.

Postal Services and Courier Delivery

Orders that come through the postal system, EMS and couriers should arrive at the address provided to us for shipping. All orders are sent registered and require a signature, so please provide a phone number for your local delivery company can call you in case of no one being there to sign upon delivery.

Also see our Shipping Information.

Air Freight & Ocean Freight

Air & Ocean freight are usually for large orders as they are cheaper to ship on scale. These services are shipped to your port of entry and requires an agent, or yourself, to go to the port to receive the package and clear customs, pay any duties, taxes etc. You will need to arrange delivery from the port to your address prior to shipping.

Also see our Shipping Information.