Purchase of tropical plants: learn more about the plant
Purchase of a plant begins, first of all, with your purse. If an expensive purchase for experiment on a window sill will strongly affect your budget, it would be better to refrain from a purchase, especially if you see this plant for the first time and have no idea about needed conditions. All of us are impulsive buyers in sellers’ joy… But then it appears, that the bought plant needs absolutely other conditions, and you are unable to create them.
The plant is a living organism which can please you, but also can die. And it offends, if it was the plant which cost a lot. Do not forget, that besides cost of the plant, you should spend money for its maintenance. Most likely, you will buy a ground mix, fertilizers, a new pot, a new shelf to put it there, and also lamps for additional illumination.
So, learn about your future purchase as much as possible. Start with the Latin name. Do not trust the popular names. These names are thought out for buyers. For example, who will buy Dissotis rotundifolia? And an intriguing name “Spanish shawl” is other thing. The same name can be given to completely different plants. Don’t be lazy and find the Latin name, even if the seller does not know it.
Find as much as possible information about the maintenance. Having spent some time for search, you will save more time and forces later. How to water a plant, what light does it need, what its mature size – I is very important for the successful maintenance.