GENERAL

 

1) What size of plants will I receive?

 

We grow and ship our plants in 2.5” x 2.5” x 3.25” pots, arranged in trays of 32. Plant height can vary depending on species and by customer request. Generally, trees will be over 6” and shrubs over 4”. All plants are hand selected and proper root development is checked. We also sell some select varieties in 128-plug trays and recommend buying plants in multiples of 32 for ease of packing and shipping.

 

2) Are your plants genetically modified?

 

No. All our plants are propagated from diverse collections of cultivars (varieties) developed at universities, agriculture research stations, and nurseries. These cultivars have been selected through controlled crosses (traditional breeding) and remain true-to-type through vegetative tissue culture techniques. No genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering.

 

3) Why are tissue culture plants superior and what justifies the cost?

 

Tissue culture plants are the highest quality of plants one can receive. They are produced in a sterile and clean environment where varieties are true-to-type to authentic mother plants, genetically uniform, and disease free. Orchardists and horticulturalists demand consistency and uniformity in quality and growth and only tissue culture can provide large numbers of plants with these exceptional traits. Other propagation techniques have their limitations and with some plants are not possible. We want you to have success with your plants which is why we recommend planting those of top quality; So, you get it right the first time. Please see our “Technology” page for more information on how we produce our plants.

 

4) Do my fruits plants need another variety to produce fruit?

 

Some do and some do not. Both Saskatoon berry and dwarf sour cherry plants have flowers that are self-pollinating. This means that they can pollinate themselves and their neighbours without the need for a second pollinizer. On the other hand, haskap are not self-pollinated and a successful orchard will require at least two compatible varieties. The ratio of compatible polliniser to producer varieties can be anywhere from 1:1 to 1:5. Any lower and you risk poor pollination.

  

5) When can I expect the plants to produce fruit?

 

It depends on the fruit type. Most plants will take the one-to-three years to establish a healthy root system deep into the ground. Once strong enough, they will begin putting more energy into flowering. Most of our plants reach full maturity 5-7 years after planting. It is not uncommon however to begin receiving small amounts of fruit as early as year 2.

 

6) How cold hardy are these plants?

 

We only sell hardy plants which were selected and bred for Canadian/northern USA climates. Most of them are adapted to withstand the cold temperature of either Zone 2 or Zone 3. For example, Saskatoon berry, haskap, and dwarf sour cherry can all withstand winter temperatures below –35 degree Celsius.

 

7) Will the plants grow in my area?

 

We specialize in northern species that are adapted to cold climates. We have customers in zones 1-7 that have each experienced good success. Most of Canada and northern US fall under this designation. We do not recommend planting these cold hardy plants if you live in a plant hardiness zone of 8 or above. Please see the links below to find your hardiness zone:

 

For Canada:

http://www.planthardiness.gc.ca/images/PHZ_2014_CFS_Map_30M.pdf

 

For USA:

http://planthardiness.ars.usda.g

 

CARE AND MAINTENANCE QUESTIONS ABOUT FRUIT CROPS

 

1) My haskap’s leaves are turning brown and falling off in late summer. Is it dying?

 

Not likely. The most common stress for haskap is high heat/light intensity in the middle of summer, as they are more adapted to the cold. When this is combined with low rainfall, haskap plants tend to shut down and turn brown. This allows the plant to withstand drought by losing its biggest water user, the leaves. Once favourable conditions return, the plant may put forth a small burst of new fall leaves to maximize nutrient acquisition for overwintering.

 

2) Should I worry about birds?

 

Birds can be a source of frustration for some growers, but if the local population is low then their impact is relatively small. Reflective tape and sound cannons can be implemented, among other methods. The only way to ensure your plants will remain 99.9% bird-free is to set up bird netting. This can be expensive and unpractical for most growers. While some orchards go the expense of setting up a bird-proof site, most will accept a small amount of loses due to birds and other fruit loving animals. If you find your losses are above acceptable levels, then bird netting may be worthwhile. Laser control of birds have also been reported successful by some growers.

 

PRICING

 

1) Who do you sell your plants to?

 

Anyone and everyone. We regularly sell plants to customers ranging from big nurseries and large orchards to backyard gardeners.

 

2) Do you offer discounts for larger orders?

 

Yes, we do. Any order that is 33 or more total plants qualifies for incremental discounts. Our first price break occurs at 33 total plants, but we also have further discounts applicable at 129, 513, and 1025 plants.

 

3) What are royalties?

 

A royalty is a small, per-plant fee that is collected and submitted to the plant breeder or organization that developed the cultivar. Royalty revenues allow the researchers to develop new varieties and to benefit them for past successes in plant breeding. Not all plants on our product list have royalties, and if they do, they are in addition to Floramaxx’s price. Some plants are only allowed to be propagated with licenses (often from the breeder) to ensure proper protection of plant breeders’ rights.

 

SHIPPING

 

1) Can I pick up my order?

 

Yes. However, we do require that all pickups have a pre-arranged date. That way we can have all the plants counted, inspected, and prepared for transport.

 

2) Is the cost of shipping included?

 

All shipping costs are paid for by the customer. FloraMaxx will arrange shipping and handle the payment details on your behalf prior to the arrival of your order so that the entire experience is stress free. The shipping costs are then added to your invoice for the plants.

 

3) How do you ship?

 

Most Canadian orders under 256 total plants are sent via Canada Post Expedited. You should receive your order within 1-4 business days in Western Canada and 4-7 business days elsewhere in Canada. You will receive your order in your normal mail or Canada Post will ask you to pick up your order at your local postal outlet. US orders are typically sent through UPS. Since we ship a lot of plants, we get favourable rates with various companies that we do business with on a regular basis.

 

Orders over 256 plants are typically sent on skids/pallets and shipped via trucking service (LTL Freight).

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4) How safe is shipping?

 

Shipping does have its challenges, and here at FloraMaxx, we do our best to ensure that you receive your plants in the same condition we sent them off. For all orders sent by courier, we package all plants into a snug cardboard sleeve so that interior movement is greatly reduced. All boxes are clearly labelled as fragile/perishable so handlers can take the necessary precautions. However, we are not responsible if your shipment is mishandled by the shipping company.

 

5) What are the shipping periods?

 

Although there is no set date, our shipping season typically begins in mid-May for select locations. We have two primary shipping periods: spring (May and June) and fall (September and October). In a typical year, the end of October marks the end of our shipping season for most locations. However, those in zone 7-8 may receive plants up to mid-November. For long distances or across international borders, we recommend shipping dormant plants in the fall, as they are less likely to sustain damage in transit. However, we could accommodate your special shipping needs in winter also.

 

6) Do you ship plants to the United States?

 

We ship most of our varieties to the US. There are some extra steps regarding Prunus, Malus, and Pyrus species, which need to be authorised by the Canadian Food inspection Agency under the Canadian Fruit Tree Export Program for US bound shipments in soil and/or in vitro. We apply for the certification papers and have your plants inspected and authorized before shipping. Please contact us for details, as the export regulations are subject to change.

 

7) Do you ship plants to Europe?

 

Yes, we do. All haskap varieties are authorised for European Union, Norway, and Switzerland. Please check your local import regulations to see which other species are allowed and which are restricted. All European orders are only sent “in vitro” meaning they come as plantlets in jars/tubs growing in an agar media. We have a minimum order requirement of 500 plantlets for European orders. Please contact us for more details.