String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata)

——-??About Heat packs?? ——

☀️Shipping to warm state-

I am shipping from NY, and winter is here! I use 72-hour heat packs on all orders just to get the plants safely to a distribution center 4 hours south. When all moves according to plan, these plants arrive at your warm state safely. Occasionally, plants are rerouted from the typical distribution center to other centers throughout the country. Depending on the location of the reroute, the plant could still experience cold conditions and freeze. You’re welcome to purchase a larger heat pack with insulation to help protect your plant in case of a reroute, but there is still a risk with winter shipping.

❄️Shipping to cold state-

If you are buying from a cold state, I will use a 120hr heat pack with insulation. You need to purchase this from the heat pack listing. If a plant going to your cold state, freezes due to a shipping delay (expired heat pack), being left on your doorstep too long, or is simply in conditions that a heat pack can’t handle…I will not refund or replace.

—About shipping estimates and my winter policy——

If you’ve watched the news in December, you know all about the covid/Christmas delays. These delays were rough on a lot of turtles, but USPS is for the most part moving smoothly again. Most plants are arriving in 3-4 days, but sometimes they pass through facilities that are struggling.  I have just started sending plants again, and I am moving slowly as I watch for delays, and dance around the weather here in NY. I am proceeding slowly for the safety of the plants.

PLEASE READ THIS:

With that being said, I am not covering any cold damage due to USPS delays or rerouting. Plants occasionally take unexpected travels through cold weather, even if you live in a warm location. It is very frustrating but completely unpredictable, and out of my control. This is a risk when shipping in the winter (especially with facilities facing low staff from Covid). If you do not want to take this risk, please order in the spring.

The most common question I hear when turtles are unpacked is when should I water them?

Your turtles are shipped dry, and will probably appreciate a drink and some humidity right away:)

HOW TO MAKE YOUR TURTLES LOVE YOU!

The care is pretty easy, but I’ll give you the details

Light- bright indirect. think tropical, not succulent. Protect them from intense light and high heat, or you will cook your turtles! A good indication that your turtles are receiving too much light, is leaf shape and color. Thin, flat, yellow leaves=too much light

Water-remember…tropical 🙂 these make excellent terrarium plants, as they love to creep in humidity. Mature turtles have leaves fat enough to handle some drought, especially in the winter months. As you get to know your turtles, you can tell when to water just by glancing at them. Thirsty turtles tend to be duller in appearance, but after a good drink, they fatten up and regain their plump, glossy appearance. Bottom watering is not completely necessary, but a good idea to prevent rot in the matte on leaves on the top of the plant.

PROPAGATION

Maybe you lost a strand or two in shipment, or have purchased cuttings. I love growing turtles, and I’m here to help!

Luckily, turtles are easy to propagate, as long as you’re using mature turtles  Mature turtles are fat, and round, with a grassy green color. new growth is thin, matte, and has high contrasted dark markings, with red stems.

When you propagate, you want as many little turtle nodes on the soil as possible, which means, leave nothing hanging over the edge. You can grow a full pot with just a few strands if done correctly. As the root of the strand, new growth with shoots up along the stem. Keep laying those new stems on the soil until your pot is full. Your pot will then start to grow over the sides.  Until turtles are rooted and happy, don’t forget about them! Keep the humidity up, and don’t let their soil dry out!

feel free to message me with any turtle questions whatsoever!