Ordering Plants in this Heat

[BenB]

I was looking at some tc plants online, but I'm not sure I can order anything. It is crazy hot here in the SE. If they didn't arrive on a day I was off, I feel like they would boil. Anyone ordering any plants right now? I would think if it was an issue, the sites would have some disclaimer, but I haven't seen any.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Some sites do issue disclaimers. But I’ve mostly ordered from Buceplant recently because their shipping is the fastest for the lowest cost. $9.99 and I usually get it FedEx’d to me within 3 days. Having said that, they have “insulated” protection you can add to your package but they don’t include cold packs or anything. The last order I made my crypts showed up pretty melted from heat but just the leaves. I personally wouldn’t risk the order if it’s not 100% necessary until your temps go back to 80’s

 

[BenB]

I have friends I could have it shipped to, but even in the truck, I worry they will get too hot. My LFS usually has a decent selection of tc, but I went yesterday and it was sad. Hopefully they will restock soon.

Shenanagins, it's probably hotter in SC than here. We seem to be the nexus of hell though lately.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Yes, satans you know what down here.

If Burr has anything you’re interested in, he does a good job shipping. I had a package that sat in the mailbox all day by my own mistake not looking at the usps tracking. It told me it was coming one day and because I didn’t watch it like a hawk like I usually do, it showed up a day early. I looked at the end of the day and saw it had been sitting in the mailbox in 90 degree plus all day. Thankfully when I finally grabbed it, plants were fine!

 

[Pneumonicsonic]

I also got a shipment from Burr this week and it arrived quickly and everything was pristine.

 

[ElleDee]

I have friends I could have it shipped to, but even in the truck, I worry they will get too hot. My LFS usually has a decent selection of tc, but I went yesterday and it was sad. Hopefully they will restock soon.

Shenanagins, it's probably hotter in SC than here. We seem to be the nexus of hell though lately.

If you didn't know, you can order TC cups from The Fish Room online and then pick it up for free in the store. You have to wait for them order it (or get a standing shipment, idk how it works exactly), which was only a couple of days when I did this in the past. They would email me after my order was placed and coordinated the pick up. I'm in Durham, so I'm not going to pop over just to check what's in stock.

 

[Pepere]

I suspect it will cool down significantly in about 8 weeks.

The third week of July is statistically the hottest week of the year in the northern hemisphere.

 

[BenB]

If you didn't know, you can order TC cups from The Fish Room online and then pick it up for free in the store. You have to wait for them order it (or get a standing shipment, idk how it works exactly),. They would email me after my order was placed and coordinated the pick up.

I might look into that. Since their selection was down when I was there, they should be due for a delivery.

I'm in Durham, so I'm not going to pop over just to check what's in stock.

I local Scape Cruncher! Yeah, that's a really long haul for you. It's far enough for me.

 

[Whitecloud09]

I was looking at some tc plants online, but I'm not sure I can order anything. It is crazy hot here in the SE. If they didn't arrive on a day I was off, I feel like they would boil. Anyone ordering any plants right now? I would think if it was an issue, the sites would have some disclaimer, but I haven't seen any.

Yeah I ordered a hornwort in this heat. I live in the SE. Bad idea was in tough shape. Depends on the website. aquarium coop and buce r usually fine in the heat for me!

 

[Jeff Miotke]

Yea Ben it is certainly a challenge. I stopped getting anything between June and September a long time ago because it’s just too hot.

 

[techman81]

I recently ordered from Buceplant and payed for the liner. Plants arrived in 2 days but there was no liner. One bag was pretty warm but all seem to be doing ok. Buceplant did give me a credit for twice the cost of the liner.

 

[BenB]

I recently ordered from Buceplant and payed for the liner. Plants arrived in 2 days but there was no liner. One bag was pretty warm but all seem to be doing ok. Buceplant did give me a credit for twice the cost of the liner.

This is good to see. I had a bit of a problem with Buceplant once, but my experience since has been positive. Still I have a bit of pause when thinking about ordering from them.

 

[techman81]

This is good to see. I had a bit of a problem with Buceplant once, but my experience since has been positive. Still I have a bit of pause when thinking about ordering from them.

I've ordered from 5 plant sellers. The order from one semi well known supplier was a complete waste of time and money, order from another more well known seller didn't go well but they worked to make it right financially, and an order from a random Etsy seller didn't go that well. Buceplant and Aqua Forest Aquarium have been best for me. AFA price with shipping is a bit high though. Buce prices were initially high, but as reward points add up, it balances out. It's tough getting good plants in Missouri. LFSs don't carry a big selection other than the basic easy to grow species, and the best online suppliers are far away.

 

[BenB]

I've ordered from 5 plant sellers. The order from one semi well known supplier was a complete waste of time and money, order from another more well known seller didn't go well but they worked to make it right financially, and an order from a random Etsy seller didn't go that well. Buceplant and Aqua Forest Aquarium have been best for me. AFA price with shipping is a bit high though. Buce prices were initially high, but as reward points add up, it balances out. It's tough getting good plants in Missouri. LFSs don't carry a big selection other than the basic easy to grow species, and the best online suppliers are far away.

I agree, I've always had a good experience from AFA but their shipping can be high. We have similar but different experiences. Getting stuff tends to be easier if you live on one coast or the other. So being in Missouri adds an extra day. However, for me, it seems so much aquarium stuff is on the west coast. Not everything, but you know what I mean.

I'm lucky in that my LFS has upped their planted tank game, and I try to support. When they get tc in they have a good selection, but they are still a decent drive away and sometimes I want what they don't have.

I haven't decided 100% I'm going to get new plants. I'm determined I'm going to beat this algae and nurse my ailing plants back to health, but even according to something I read by Dennis Wong, sometimes even if you have things going right, it is easier to get new plants because the old ones are so weak.

 

[BenB]

Yea Ben it is certainly a challenge. I stopped getting anything between June and September a long time ago because it’s just too hot.

They don't call your area Hotlanta for nothing. It's supposed to be bad here but brutal the next week or so for you guys and @gnatster

 

[Sb1415]

Just ordered a few TC from aquarium plant factory. Never ordered online before but my LFS in Ohio do not have a big variety of choices. Never ordered online before, let’s see….

I used the votes section from the forum to choose plant factory. I am sure many would appreciate more votes to help them choose where to order.

 

[gnatster]

Just ordered a few TC from aquarium plant factory. Never ordered online before but my LFS in Ohio do not have a big variety of choices. Never ordered online before, let’s see….

I used the votes section from the forum to choose plant factory. I am sure many would appreciate more votes to help them choose where to order.

Same place I received my plants from, not 20 days ago; same lack of selection issue with the LFSs. All have done well, most were TC.

 

[Burr740]

I also got a shipment from Burr this week and it arrived quickly and everything was pristine.

@Mr.Shenanagins missed your comment the first time

If Burr has anything you’re interested in, he does a good job shipping. I had a package that sat in the mailbox all day by my own mistake not looking at the usps tracking. It told me it was coming one day and because I didn’t watch it like a hawk like I usually do, it showed up a day early. I looked at the end of the day and saw it had been sitting in the mailbox in 90 degree plus all day. Thankfully when I finally grabbed it, plants were fine

Thanks a lot guys, much appreciated!

I switched to using Fed Ex 2 day about a month ago. Usps had been running late more often than on time recently. 4-5 days had become the normal for priority, thats unacceptable for what we are doing, esp in this heat. Probably 100 orders now with fed ex, so far all on time with probably 1/3 getting there the next day if you can believe that!

Had to raise shipping $1, now its $12 instead of $11. Well worth it for that kind of reliability. Every order gets a free cold pack

Having said all that, the main thing when its this hot is to bring the package inside soon as its delivered. Even an hour baking in a hot mailbox or porch on the tail end of the journey can be the difference between healthy and mush. Just from recent personal experience, I wouldnt chance it with anyone using usps priority right now. Cold pack or not, they only last about 24 hours