FAQ's
GENERAL PLANT QUESTIONS
What to do When Plants Arrive? Carefully open your package of plants as soon as they arrive. If using a knife, be careful! We can’t be responsible for plants cut or damaged while opening the box. Gently lift the plants from the box, making sure to keep the plants upright. Next, carefully remove all the packing material. NOTE: many of our plants have sharp spines or thorns, use gloves, kitchen tongs or similar to help handle potentially spiny plants.
For potted green, leafy plants, place the pot in a tray, saucer or sink filled with 1-2in. of cool fresh water for 1-3 hrs. not to exceed 24hrs. Do this in a shaded location, not in full sun. Remove any damaged or broken stems at this time. If, after soaking for several hrs., the tips or leaves still show signs of wilt, discoloring or damage, cut the plant back by 1/2. This action will allow the plant to recover more quickly with less stress long-term.
For cuttings stand them upright, cut side down in a protected location. The box they arrived in works well. NOTE: We take cacti/succulent cuttings to order, so allow cuttings to scab over for 5-7 more days after they arrive, before potting or planting.
After plants are unpacked if you have any concerns or questions regarding their condition, please contact us asap. You can email photos and notes to us directly: happyvalleyplants@gmail.com, or simply use the Contact Us page on our website.
Why doesn't my plant look like the picture in website? Plants are like people. No two are exactly the same. The website photos are merely a general visual guide to the particular species. While we strive for consistency in size and shape, your plant will have it's own unique characteristics, form and size.
How soon can I plant? Our plants are nursery grown in Arizona under ideal conditions, but shipping live plants can be stressful. Allow your plants to harden off or acclimate to their new location for 7-10 days prior to planting. Potted, leafy plants should be kept in filtered sun, up off the ground and away from strong wind. Keep plants adequately watered. For any bare root Agaves or cacti, they can be kept upright in a shallow, empty bowl or pot during their hardening off period. Some savvy gardeners will set their plants in the desired planting location about halfway through this hardening off period. It is beneficial to drape a piece of 50% shade cloth or burlap over plants that go into full sun, especially during spring or summer in hot climates, at least until they get rooted in. Even droubt-tolerant plants can sunburn!
After planting, how often should I water? Check the soil about an inch down. If it’s dry to the touch you should water. Give enough water so that you see it come out of drain hole, just don’t let your plant ever sit in a tray of water, it could develop root rot. When in doubt, don’t water. Better for the plant to be a little dry than too wet.
Watering cont. Water plants thoroughly after planting. Plants need enough water to allow them to grow well, but how much to water depends on several factors such as soil composition, drainage, temperatrue, humidity, sunlight, wind, etc. Generally, Agaves, cacti, yuccas, and succulents, use more water during growth periods in spring through summer. Excess moisture in the root zone of these types of plants can cause root rot issues. Cold or hot water on the leaves can cause damage too. A good guideline is to check the water needs by feeling the soil once every 7-14 days. For green, leafy plants water every other day for the first 2 weeks, then every 3rd day for the next 2 weeks, every 4th day the next 2 weeks etc. This allows them water while they are growing new roots and becoming established but slowly weans them off. It takes about 6-8 weeks for new roots to grow, on average.
How do I take care of my new plant? Know the plant species and do some research from reputable sources prior to your purchase. Remember, WE are your best source of trustworthy information. Email us your questions, we are HAPPY to help with valuable advice, suggestions and gardening tips. There are no foolish questions, its only foolish to not ask!
AND read our Blogs! They contain lots of helpful tips, suggestions and information.
AGAVE, CACTI & SUCCULENTS
Cacti, agave, and succulents are all types of desert plants that share some common care requirements due to their ability to store water in their leaves and stems. Here are some basic care instructions for these plants:
How much light do they need? Most of our Agaves, cacti, succulents and yucca plants prefer a location with plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. They thrive in well-lit areas but should be protected from intense UV & direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day and during their establishment period.
How often to water? See additional notes on watering above. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Water thoroughly but infrequently.
For containerized plants, when you water, do so deeply until water runs out of the drainage holes, allowing the excess water drain away.
What kind of soil should I use? Use a well-draining soil mix specifically designed for cacti and succulents. Look for our Premium Potting Soil - 1 Gallon Bag. It is perfectly blended for plant health and success. You can also amend regular potting soil with pumice, cinders, or perlite to help improve drainage. TIP: Always pre-moisten potting soil prior to planting for better soil-to-root contact and hydration.
What about in-ground planting? Achieve well-drained soil by amending native soils with appropriate materials such as cinders, perlite or pumice stone. For amending clay soils, use organic materials like peat moss, aged manure, or loose compost. Counterintuitively, avoid sand, pea gravel or rocks as these mixed with clay can create adobe, or a cement-like material that can make soil problems worse for Agaves, cacti, yuccas and succulents. Adobe is good for building bricks, but not for growing plants in. Know your USDA hardiness zone, and what plants will work well for you their. If you are not sure or have questions, please email us.
What type of container should I use? Choose containers with good drainage holes to prevent water from pooling around the roots. NEVER add rocks, or gravel at the bottom of you container, ONLY premium potting mix should be used. Pots made from terra-cotta or wood or plastic resin work well due to their breathable material. Glazed ceramic or metal are popular but typically hold moisture too long, can heat up the soil and provide lower gas exchange rates for the roots.
What kind of temperatures inside? Most of these plants generally prefer warm temperatures, but they can tolerate some fluctuations. Avoid exposing them to heavy drafts, extreme cold or frost. Read each plant description carefully prior to ordering, and if you are still unsure, just send us an email. We're happy to help.
Do these plants require humidity? No. Generally, these plants prefer low humidity, which is typical of their prefered habitats.
How often should I fertilize? Generally, Agaves, cacti, yucca, and succulents do not require much fertilization as long as the proper soil preparations were done. Fertilizing can be done to help cure any nutrient deficiency symptoms though, and this should be done during the growing season (spring and summer). Fertilize with a diluted, balanced, water-soluble fertilizer formulated for cacti and succulents. Typically, these are lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorus and potassium. NOTE: Always read & follow the instructions on the fertilizer label.
Should I prune my succulent, cacti or agave? Remove any dead or damaged leaves by gently pulling them off at the base. This helps keep the plant healthy and prevents pests from finding a home in decaying plant parts.
How do keep pests and diseases away? Keep an eye out for signs of pests like mealybugs and scale insects. If you spot any, isolate the affected plant and treat it with an appropriate insecticide. Plant in the proper amount of sunlight, and ensure good air circulation around your plants to help prevent fungal diseases. Planting Agaves and cacti with a layer of pure pumice, perlite, or ground cinders between the plant and the soil is a good example of a simple fungal disease prevention measure anyone can do. Also, avoid getting the foliage, crown, or flesh wet.
When should I repot my succulent, cacti or agave? Repot your cacti, agave, or succulents when they become root-bound or when the soil is old and depleted. This is typically done every 1-2 years. When up-potting, the recommended guideline is to choose a container that is no more than 2 inches larger diameter than the original pot. TIP: Small root balls in large volumes of soil cause excess moisture issues and are typically problematic for Agaves, cacti, and many succulents.
CITRUS QUESTIONS
How do I plant my citrus outside?
Location & Weather. A sunny, wind-free southern exposure is best. Plan for the tree’s ultimate size by giving it ample room around. Avoid planting in lawns which receive frequent waterings. Use best judgment around walls - reflected heat can be beneficial in colder areas, but can produce sun scald in warmer climates. Know your USDA plant zone. If temperatures drop below 32 degrees, you’ll need to protect your citrus from frost bite with frost blankets.
Planting in the ground. Plant rootball high so that when finished it will be slightly above garden grade and upper roots are just below soil line. Provide a generous watering basin and fill it completely. Keep soil and lunch away from the base of the trunk. Water deeply weekly, more or less depending on your soil and climate conditions.
Drainage check. Dig a hole 30” deep and fill it with water. The next day, refill the hole with water. Drainage is good if water dros 2” in 2 hours. If it doesn’t, plant in a raised bed or container.
Fertilizing. Use a balanced citrus fertilizer with more nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium. Follow the manufacturers recommendation for amount and frequency. Either water soluble, granular or stakes. Yellow leaves can be a sign of lack of fertilizer or overly wet roots.
Pruning. Citrus trees are best pruned in early spring, before they blossom. Regularly prune to remove erratic growth or suckers and to achieve any desired shape. Pinching back tips of new growth will help trees round out.
How do I plant my citrus for an inside container?
Follow the guidance above for outdoor planting, with the following changes:
How do I pot my indoor citrus plant? Use a pot with numerous drainage holes. Never let plant sit in a tray of water. Upper roots should be just below the soil line. Use light, well-drained soil containing sand and/or vermiculite. Avoid dense potting mixes with moisture holding additives.
What kind of light does my citrus need indoors? The more the merrier! Southern exposure is best. Do not allow the leaves to touch the window, as they may burn. If your indoor citrus is not in a southern exposure, consider bringing in an additional grow lamp for lusher growth. Citrus in containers need more frequent fertilization since nutrients are washed away faster.
How often do I water? See the general guide above, but let the soil dry out a bit. Then give it a good soak.
Will my indoor citrus bare fruit? Without the bees to do the pollinating, you may have to help Mother Nature here. Us a cotton swap and gently rub the pollen tips from flower to flower, as a bee would travel from flower to flower.
