You received your plants, great. Below are the most common questions we get after delivery.
1. Why is my flower so small? I wanted a big flower.
Flower size is directly related to plant size and age. The plants we export are grown in 3 inch pots, which they are young plants, and young plants produce small flowers. This is normal.
To get bigger flowers, you need to give the plant time to grow. Here is what to do:
- Wait at least 6 months after you receive the plant
- Move it to a bigger pot, 6 inch or 8 inch when the plants get bigger
- Once the plant has a bigger, stronger structure, the flowers will come in larger
Be patient. The plant will get there.
Note: Some varieties naturally have small flowers. This is part of their character and will not change even when the plant is fully grown. Lai Ka Nok is one example. If you ordered this variety, small flowers are expected and normal.
2. Why does my flower look different from the photo in the catalog?
Crown of Thorns is well known for changing its color and pattern depending on temperature and growing environment. This is normal behavior for this plant, and it is not a mistake.
Hot weather can cause the color to fade and the pattern to disappear almost completely. In cooler temperatures the color comes back stronger. The same plant can look very different in summer versus winter.
We did not send you the wrong plant. What you are seeing is a natural response to your local climate. Give it time and you will see the true color come through.
3. What is the difference between grafted and non-grafted plants? Can I choose?
Customers cannot choose between grafted and non-grafted. Most of our plants are grafted, which is standard practice for new hybrid varieties in Thailand.
Grafted and non-grafted plants grow and perform the same way. Being grafted does not affect the health or growth of the plant. There is no disadvantage either way.
4. What soil should I use?
We cannot recommend a specific brand because availability varies from country to country. The rule is simple: use well-draining soil. Crown of Thorns does not like to sit in wet soil.
Many of our customers in the US use cactus potting mix and it works well. Look for something similar in your local garden store.
5. Why are some plants taller than others? What is the standard size?
All plants we ship are in a standard 3 inch nursery pot. We aim for a height of about 4 inches (10 cm), but there will be natural variation, some plants will be a little taller, some a little shorter. This is normal for a living product and we cannot control exact height.
A few reasons why height varies:
- Some varieties naturally grow faster than others, so they come out taller even with the same growing time
- Non-grafted plants tend to be shorter than grafted ones
- Natural variation between individual plants
What we can promise is that every plant is healthy and growing. Height will even out as the plant matures in your care.