Question
Hello Sarracenia Northwest. I just received a Hummers Giant Cephalotus from another nursery and it looks like it may not have received the best treatment while there. It has pale and weak looking leaves. What would be your advice in coaxing it back to health. I have left it alone right now in its pot it was shipped in and have it in partial shade. By the way all the plants I purchased from Sarracenia Northwest have always been healthy and never had to ask this question about them. Take care.

Answer
Hi David,

You may need to elevate the humidity for a couple weeks until the plant has time to recover from the shipping process.  A partial cover would do the job, or since you are in Georgia, just placing it in a shady area outside might do the job.  I'm guessing your plenty humid right now.  

If the plant looks really bad, contact the nursery you got it from right away to see about replacement, refund, or whatever.  It will depend on how long it has been, and their policy.  If it was shipped bare root they will always go through shock.

If you have access to Superthrive or other vitamin B-1 solution (without fertilizer), watering with that can help too.  It will help the plant establish new roots quicker.

Thank-you for the compliment.  We really try, and I know I don't like getting scrappy plants from nurseries, so we try never to send out a plant we wouldn't buy ourselves.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com