Uncork Your Plant
The Pour Card
Serve It Right
Step One
Uncork
Like any good bottle, it's best opened right away.
- Bring the box in the moment it's dropped at your door. Porches are no place for a rare plant in summer heat or winter cold.
- Peel back the wrapping by hand. Keep blades away from the leaves.
- Pull off the moss on top of the soil. That's just the cork that kept everything in place for the ride. Tuck it away for propagating.
- Cold-weather order? Your heat pack did its job. Let it cool and toss it.
- Press a finger into the soil. Dry? Give it a drink. Dusty from the trip? A quick rinse in the sink brings back the shine.
Step Two
Let It Breathe
Great bourbon needs a minute in the glass. So does your plant.
- Set it somewhere bright with no harsh direct sun, and away from vents, radiators, and drafty doors.
- A dropped or yellow leaf after travel is just the plant catching its breath. New growth will follow.
- Pour light. In cooler months especially, let the top half of the soil dry before watering again.
- Resist the urge to hover. It settles in faster when you let it be.
Step Three
Re-barrel
Every great spirit moves to a new barrel eventually. Just not on day one.
- Give it at least two weeks before repotting.
- Go up one size only. From a 4" pot, step up to a 5" or 6".
- Keep the root ball intact. Ease it out, set it in, and backfill with a chunky, well-draining mix that suits the plant.
