Frequently asked questions

• Cultivo Carnivores is a proudly South African, online-only specialist plant store based in Gauteng.  We do not have a physical store and all of our sales are managed via our website

• The best time to reach us is during our operating hours:

• We prefer communication via Whatsapp or e-mail.   For any assistance, order queries or more information on any of the products we sell, kindly contact us via online store, Whatsapp us on 0646289497 or e-mail admin@cultivocarnivores.com

• Shop online at www.cultivocarnivores.com.  Cultivo Carnivores is an online-only, 1 stop shop for all your carnivorous plant needs 
• Selected plants from our personal collection are on display at Strawberry pot nursery and they also sell a basic range of our plants, carnivorous plant soil and distilled water
• The Strawberry pot is conveniently located near the Old Johannesburg road (R101) in Centurion and is situated on the way to Mall@Reds next to Bakenkop primary school.  The address is 202 Hendrik Verwoerd drive in Wierdapark, plus they are open 7 days a week!  Call ahead to confirm availability 012 653 5068 or Get directions 
• The complete ‘Bug-munching Mini’ & ‘carnivorous plants for beginners’ ranges are now available from Marvellous orchids - Boksburg. They also sell carnivorous plant soil, distilled water and sensitive plants (touch me not) and are located inside Lots of Pots at 148 North Rand Road, Boksburg ☎️087 265 5301

• Our motto is quality over quantity.  To add to that boutique mystique, we do not stock large numbers of anything but rather sell a variety of each species to help you build your collection.  As it will not stay current for long, a written list is not practical
• As an online store, our website serves as a complete catalogue with plants, seeds, soil and supplies (everything!) we have on offer - pics, prices, sizes and all
• Visit us at www.cultivocarnivores.com and click on the MENU (top left) for the various categories and current availability

• Place your order online at www.cultivocarnivores.com. Go to menu (top left) for the different categories and click on a product image for more info on the plant or product.  If you see something you like, add it to your cart by clicking on the "Add To Cart" Button. When you are ready to complete your order, click on the CART button to go to Checkout.  Complete your contact- and shipping details and instant pay via Payfast or select DIRECT EFT for our banking details. Self-collect and various shipping options are available at checkout. Online orders are processed within 1-3business days
• Most plants are available in different sizes and a potted or bareroot (not potted) option and are priced accordingly. Note that only items currently in stock will show
• If you are new to the online shopping experience and need some help navigating our website or creating your order online, give us a shout via Whatsapp - we are available during business hours to walk you through the steps

• Cultivo is online-only store which allows us to have a larger inventory than traditional stores and to focus 100% of our attention on providing you with a superior online shopping experience.  We do not have a showroom or onsite sales section
• For viewing and in-store purchases, visit our partners at Strawberry pot nursery in Centurion.  They not only sport a mouthwatering carnivorous plant display from our collection but also sell a hand selected range of Cultivo's plants and products
• At Strawberry pot, most plants are available year round (even in winterbulb form), while some are season dependent, call ahead to confirm availability 012 653 5068

• Our main focus at Cultivo is to help you build your collection, therefor 90% of the plants we sell are imported and not found locally or in traditional stores. Replacing PRE-orders@Cultivo, newly imported plants are listed in the FRESH IMPORTS section as soon as they arrive and you will have immediate and exclusive access to these as we unpack. As always, stock is limited. First come first serve - no reserves
• Those plants not sold within the first couple of days, are potted in propagation cells and the acclimatisation process started. During this time, the plants still available are moved from FRESH IMPORTS to short listings in the live plant categories and marked as "EARLY ACCESS"
• Early access means that a plant has been in our care for only 1-2 months, and will be less “showy” than what we normally offer. Due to seasonal differences, they may be dormant, have fewer traps and pitchers and have one or two damaged leaves
• Fresh imports and Early access plants are always sent bareroot. They are not as hardy as what we typically sell and will require further acclimatisation on your end, therefor we recommend these for those comfortable with acclimatisation procedures and experienced growers
• We only import plants from trusted growers and nurseries across the globe. Initial descriptions and images are supplied and we will provide as much info as possible so you know exactly what to expect when you order. Our arrive alive guarantee applies to ALL the plants we sell
• Once they meet Cultivo's gold standard status, plants are relisted with full info, our usual potted / bareroot option, 'currently available' and updated images

• At Cultivo we focus on the rare, weird and wonderful.  Think of us as a carnivorous plant boutique
• Our cross-hairs are aimed at the ultimate plant connoisseur and most of the plants we sell are either imported, seed-grown, bought in from other collectors or produced by our own tissue culture program - thereby offering you a unique opportunity to grow your existing collection with those carnivorous plant species and cultivars that you may not find locally or in traditional stores
• All of our sales are managed via our online store which is updated with stock levels in real time.  Inventory changes nearly daily and turnover is fast - if it is listed with a price and "Add to cart" button, it is available for purchase
• Some are seasonal and we will make them available as soon as they meet our quality standards, however, as a boutique shop, most of what we offer is extremely limited and sold out means...sold out...and there is no telling (if and) when a certain item will return

• We keep an eye out for those handpicked cream of crop carni's and besides relisting some fan favourites, we also regularly add brand new plants and products to the store

• From time to time we also make some additional collector plants from the personal collection available for sale.  These high end collector items may sell out fast - Be sure not to miss out on an opportunity as these special offers are treated as once-off deals, not to be repeated
• Payment confirms orders and processing is fast. Orders are usually ready to go within 72 hours - sorry guys and gals, no reserves 

Shipping and delivery

We make use of 3rd party couriers and ship orders nationwide, 5 days a week, from R100 per order (calculated at checkout). Free shipping and packaging for orders over R2000

• For South African Customers, we offer a:

• Local pickup / self-collect option from Strawberry Pot nursery in Centurion
• a Courier to your door service to have your parcel delivered to a physical address  
• PostNet 2 PostNet where the parcel will have to be collected from your preferred Postnet branch
• We also offer an in-person hand delivery service within 50km from Centurion CBD

• Full details and shipping rates for each service can be found in our Shipping Guidelines

Payments

• We offer 2 payment methods at the checkout section:
• Instant pay via Payfast (accepts cards, instant EFT, zapper and a moreTyme option to pay your order in installments)
• Banking details for EFT (payments are to be made within 48 hours) 
• As our goods are delivered by 3rd party services, we do not accept COD

International Customers:

• We accept payment via Paypal and Payfast and ship orders to most countries via DHL Express
• Refer to this section for complete details > Cultivo Carnivores International

• We offer an in-person hand delivery service within 50km from Centurion CBD
• We mainly use Aramex for Postnet2Postnet and courier to your door deliveries. We also make use of Uti Sun couriers locally and The Courier Guy to main centers across South Africa
• You may also opt to collect your order from our partners at Strawberry pot nursery in Centurion
• International orders are sent via DHL Express
• The various shipping options are available at checkout after you’ve entered your details

• Click on this link to open the Postnet store locator
• Enter your street address on the left and tap ENTER
• This will show you a list of the branches nearest to you
• Note that only the branch (store) name is required at the checkout section

• Yes, we offer a 'shipping method' at the checkout section for collections
• Online orders may be collected from the Strawberry pot at your convenience. Order online, then select the 'customer collect' option at checkout. Keep an eye on your emails, we’ll let you know once it's dropped off at Strawberry pot, ready to pick up
• For any queries send us a Whatsapp message @ 064 628 9497, or e-mail us for more information 

• We start preparing orders as soon as payment reflects in our account and they are usually ready to go within 1-3 days
• Courier services do not transport parcels over weekends. Orders destined for main centers and Gauteng are sent Monday to Friday.  Orders to regional, urban and more remote areas are sent between Monday and Wednesday only - This means that orders placed from Wednesdays to Fridays may only be sent the following week to limit transit time and avoid lengthy stand overs over weekends
• Once sent, we will update your order status with the tracking number and notify you via email

• Having most of our plants imported we understand the concerns you may have related to shipping.  Quality is our highest priority and we pack orders securely to ensure a safe journey.  Sometimes life happens and there may be unexpected and unforeseen delays - we take this into consideration when we pack your plants and they'll be safe in a box for up to 3 weeks
• Did you know we have an ARRIVE ALIVE policy?
• At Cultivo we are very focussed on plant quality and extremely meticulous about packing and shipping of live plants
• Due to the variable delivery times of the Post Office we only send live plants via the Courier or Postnet
• Depending on where you reside, your parcel may take up to 6 business days to reach you
• We assert to pack and protect your precious carni cargo the best we can to ensure safe arrival of your new plant

• What happens if my plant arrives DEAD ☠️
• Delivery times and handling of parcels by carriers are completely beyond our control
• Once your parcel leaves our premises we will update your order with the tracking details.  Most courier services require a signature on delivery so please make sure there is someone who can take receipt of your parcel
• We will send you a strong, healthy plant or winter bulb and we cannot be held responsible for parcels left outside in the summer sun (or eaten by a dog 🐩 😂)

• We strive towards excellence and you as our customer is our first priority
• Open your parcel as soon as it is delivered.  Inspect your plants and cross reference them with your printed order included in the box
• During the winter months, temperate plants such as venus flytraps, trumpet- and purple pitchers are cut back and sold as clean, dormant rhizomes.  This will be indicated in the listing so that you know exactly what to expect.  A dormant rhizome is an underground, winterbulb or stem and may not have any pitchers or traps attached, making them appear very small overall.  The rhizome is a live organ and as long as the rhizome is firm and white, it is not dead
• Should there be anything missing from your order or your plants be black and mushy (dead) on arrival, please contact us immediately. Time allowed is 24 hours
• Please include images of damages to the parcel if applicable as well as the plants in question
• These images can be sent to admin@cultivocarnivores.com or Whatsapp 064 628 9497, and we will replace this item completely free of charge if the claim is warranted

• Should we not have the particular plant in stock anymore, we will issue you with store credit for the value of the lost plant (shipping fees excluded)
• We do not offer cash refunds
• We are always available for advice and, for easy reference, the web link to all our care sheets are available in the 'shipping and collection details e-mail' sent after your purchase, should you need advice on providing your new plant with optimal care
• Once you take receipt of your parcel, the responsibility is handed over to you
• We strongly urge you to do some research on specific needs of the different species and follow the guidelines provided
• Carnivorous plants are generally easy to grow providing they receive enough light, water and a bit of TLC
• We can not be held responsible for declining plant health after the 24 hour time frame, due to lack of light, neglect, water quality, soil conditions etc 

• If you are unclear about anything regarding Cultivo's arrive alive policy, feel free to contact us for clarification

• CITES and phytosanitary certificates are needed for all plant and seed orders sent outside South Africa - Click on the image below for pricing and more information

• Being specialist carnivorous plant growers, our main focus at Cultivo is treating each of our clients as a priority customer and we aim to offer you not only exceptional quality plants, but also the largest variety of carnivorous plant species that South Africa has to offer

Wholesale and Distribution

• Due to the fact that we mainly sell rare species and cultivars aimed at the plant connoisseur, we do not offer large or wholesale quantities from our private collection as a regular purchase option; However, 
• We take great care in maintaining our international business relations and only import plants from reputable nurseries and private growers, enabling us to supply larger quantities of various carnivorous plant species for resale
• Retail is done via Cultivo's website.  Our wholesale and distribution network is managed by our partners at Plant Imports South Africa.  For queries and pricing send an e-mail to orders@plantimports.co.za or visit our wholesale and distribution section for more information

Collector items

• At Cultivo we specialise in carnivorous plants and as we focus mostly on offering you a variety of connoisseur and collector items.  In order to protect the rights and integrity of our suppliers, the labeled plant species and cultivars we sell are intended for cultivation and enjoyment by individual hobbyists and plant collectors only

• As per our terms of service, we reserve the right to limit or prohibit orders for any item that, in our sole judgment, appear to be placed by propagators, dealers, distributors and re-sellers without prior arrangement

• Should propagation for resale be your main purpose for buying any of the plants or products we sell, we ask that you make us aware of it.  These orders will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Failure to do so may lead to cancellation of your future orders and suspension of your account, without prior notice and no correspondence will be entered into

• Yes, Cultivo remains open year round, including the duration of winter dormancy
• Business hours remains the same and the online store is always open
• During winter, live plants are available as dormant rhizomes (winter bulbs). These are available either already potted or bareroot - ready for you to pot up and for them to wake up during springtime at their new home
• Plants will be listed as ‘dormant rhizome, winterbulb, winter rosette or dormant hibernicula so that you know exactly what to expect
• With the shorter daylight period and cooler weather, temperate carnivorous plants will enter a rest period called winter dormancy during the colder months of the year - in South Africa winter dormancy usually sets in between April and May and lasts until September to October
• Dormant plants will still be listed and available for purchase, however
• if you're new to carnivorous plants, this information will give you an idea of what to expect
• Plant images shown are always from our own plants unless otherwise mentioned
• Product images represent our plants in full summer growth under optimal conditions to highlight individual characteristics 
• As plants are a product of nature, slight variations - in terms of size and colour - may occur
• If ever in doubt, feel free to contact us to confirm, prior to your purchase

• Should you be new to carnivorous plants we highly recommend doing some research on what to expect during the colder months so there are no (or fewer😉) surprises
• The carnivorous plant world comprises of a whole bunch of different carnivorous plant species and varieties and some will need a rest period during wintertime to store enough energy for the new growing season.  In South Africa we are blessed with distinct seasons and besides being the most awesome plants in the universe, these plants are soooooo clever....they will know exactly when to go to sleep if grown in natural light
• During autumn, temperatures will start dropping and the daylight period become shorter, which will trigger a winter rest period in temperate carnivorous plants.  In South Africa, this period usually starts during April and lasts until late September when the temperatures rise and the daylight period gets longer again
• Here is a few guidelines on what to expect during winter dormancy:

• Venus flytraps:
• As the daylight period gets shorter in autumn, trap formation will taper while energy is being stored in the underground stem (a bulb like structure called the rhizome)
• During late autumn the tall leaves and large summer traps will start dying off and the plant will generally appear much smaller (around ⅓ of the actual size) for a couple of months when compared to their active growing season (summer)
• This means that during wintertime, flytraps have very little growth above the soil level and are largely inactive during the colder months (May to October) of the year

• Most flytrap varieties still produce tiny traps close to the soil level (called ground hugging traps) that are sluggish to close

• Venus flytraps are mostly inactive from late autumn (around April-May), with new active growth (tall and/or longer leaves with larger traps) emerging during September and October
• Venus flytraps come back bigger and stronger after their beauty sleep and should be back in full bug-munching action by November

• Wintertime and trumpet pitcher plants 
• As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop in autumn, the tall summer pitchers will die off from the lid either partially (halfway down) and in some cases entirely, this is also the case for winter dormancy in purple pitchers and parrot pitcher plants
• many varieties of trumpet pitcher plants produce flat pitchers with small heads that will not open, these non-carnivorous leaves are used for phytosynthesis and is called phylloda
• During wintertime trumpet pitcher plants are unpotted and trimmed back.  Phylloda leaves are left for phytosynthesis while rhizomes are cleaned and treated with fungicide, hereafter they are repotted into fresh soil, ready for the upcoming growing season
• If grown outside in full sun, trumpet pitchers come back into play with bigger, stronger pitchers popping up from the growth point during September and October and should be in full swing by November

• The growth on Tropical pitcher plants will slow considerably during wintertime and
• Even though the foliage will remain, most of the pitchers (cups) produced during spring and summer will die off
• If grown in natural conditions, tropical pitcher plants will start growing actively - producing new foliage with pitcher formation - around September to October

• Temperate sundews for eg Drosera Binata and Drosera Filiformis as well as Temperate butterworts will die back to a single winter bud (called a hibernicula), with
• no visible growth above the soil level
• If given enough light, new growth on temperate sundews and butterworts will start popping up from (or around) the hibernicula when temperatures rise and the photoperiod gets longer in September to October

• Temperate butterworts such as Pinguicula Grandiflora will die back to a single winter bud (called a hibernicula), with
• no visible growth above the soil level
• If given enough light, new growth will start popping up from (or around) the hibernicula when temperatures rise and the photoperiod gets longer in September to October

• Many plants in the Mexican butterwort family will lose their large carnivorous leaves as the daylight period gets shorter in winter
• With the exception of Pinguicula Gigantea and it's hybrids which only dies back slightly, most mexican butterworts will produce tight rosettes with tiny non-carnivorous leaves - making them appear around ¼ of the actual size during the colder months of the year

• Most mexican butterworts flower in late winter to early spring, even while in the dormanct, succulent state with the bigger carnivorous leaves returning around October to November.  Some species takes a little longer and will only start producing carnivorous leaves during December
• If you grow your plant outside, overwinter it on a northfacing windowsill until the last frost date. While in the dormant, succulent state, water your plant only a couple of times during the week: keep the soil only damp without letting it stand in water or letting the soil completely. Increase watering again when the larger  carnivorous plants emerge

• Albany pitcher plants tend to die back slightly producing tiny pitchers with
• new growth in the form of non-carnivorous leaves appearing first during springtime, followed by
• the larger thumb-like carnivorous pitchers during summertime

• Most terrestrial bladderworts we have for sale will flower during the warmer months, thus
• during wintertime only the green leaves are visible 

• Buying plants from Cultivo during wintertime
• Plant images shown are always from our own plants unless otherwise mentioned.  To best display individual characteristics on each species and/or variety, images represent our plants in full summer growth under optimal conditions
• From May to October, all temperate plants will be sold as dormant rhizomes (underground bulbs or roots) with tiny traps and cut pitchers.  Naturally, this will cause the plant to appear smaller overall

• As many species and varieties are inactive in the colder months, we repot our plants into fresh carnivorous plant soil during winter dormancy.  Plants and dormant rhizomes are available either bareroot or already potted - ready for the upcoming growing season
• Keep the soil only moist during wintertime and provide as much direct sunlight as possible.  Protect your plants from below freezing temperatures.  Temperate plants settle in better if repotted into fresh carnivorous plant soil at the end of winter dormancy - around August to mid-September. If given optimal conditions, plants will start growing actively with new growth emerging from the growth point as the days get longer during September to October
• Shipping during winter dormancy is ideal as it reduces stress on the plant and help them to settle in quicker into their new environment without too much disturbance

• For the most part, the carnivorous plant species we grow, display best during the active growing season.  For those carni-fans who wish to drop by to view before purchase, Strawberry pot nursery stocks plants and winter bulbs year round - they are located at 202 Hendrik Verwoerd drive in Wierdapark, Centurion and are open 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 3pm on Sundays
• Our store is open 24/7 and we offer a range of payment- and shipping options if you are not collecting from Strawberry pot
• If at any time you are in doubt, drop us an e-mail or Whatsapp us prior to ordering for further assistance

• Sorry, we do not accept trades, cuttings or plants as payment
• Adding to the boutique mystique, we are always looking to expand the selection available at Cultivo, so
• instead of a trade, should you have any carnivorous plants and/or cuttings on offer we don't already have for sale, we are very willing to compensate you financially
• For extra cash in your pocket, please contact us with a price list of your plant cuttings (rooted / unrooted) or plants you have on offer, we look forward to hearing from you

• Contrary to the popular belief, carnivorous plants are not difficult to grow provided their basic needs are met.  Most will need a fair amount of direct sunlight for phytosynthesis and all will need low mineral water and nutrient-deficient soil.  Even though the venus flytrap is the most famous of them all, there are more carnivorous plant species than you may know of and according to their needs, we need to adjust the care of each trying to simulate their natural habitat, to grow them successfully
• With so much conflicting information on the internet it is easy to get overwhelmed.  We have complete and quick reference care sheets available at a touch of a button. Click here for our reference guide for more info on taking care of your carnivorous plant, growing your own live sphagnum moss culture and sowing carnivorous plant seeds 
• Should you need further clarification after studying these guidelines, give us a shout, we're here to help

• Mature fly traps usually flower during spring. Flowering drains a lot of the plant's energy, and it may well take a whole growing season (which means a whole year) to recover. We recommend cutting flower stalks for a healthier plant
• Unlike the variability of seed grown flytraps, plants propagated from the flower stalk will be an exact clone of the parent ⬇️

• Is your plant looking sickly or unhappy? We can assist with general growing advice and common problems associated with carnivorous plants
• Note that the advice we provide is based purely on personal experience and is not set in stone. We always recommend doing additional research on specific concerns. The internet is filled with excellent resources, how-to videos, discussion forums and carnivorous plant social media groups
• Some excellent publications are also available and make for wonderful bedtime reading - check out our recommendations here

• We can assist with specific plant queries and concerns:
• Abnormal growth
• Expectations due to seasonal changes ie. winter dormancy
• Pests and disease
• Growing media and supplies
• Recommended books, videos, weblinks and other resources

What do you need from me in order to assist?

• In order to advise you best, we prefer addressing specific concerns in writing - Contact us on 064 628 9497 or send us an e-mail to admin@cultivocarnivores.com
• Please provide as much details as possible: 
• The species or variety of the plant.  (Tip: If you have bought the plant from us please use the same e-mail address if you do not know the plant species)
• Where have you bought the plant?
• How long have you had the plant?
• Where do you stay?
• Details about your care till date:  Indoors, outdoors, lighting, water, soil, fertilisers, repotting etc
• A detailed description of your concern
• When did you start noticing the problem?
• Images will certainly be very helpful.  Provide us with clear photographs as this will make identification easier

• This service is free and we volunteer valuable time and effort to assist you regardless of where you live
• By submitting your query, you agree to the T&Cs of this website
• You also agree that the information you receive through this service is free and such information and recommendations are provided solely for educational and informational purposes only; all decisions you ultimately make remains your own responsibility
• We reserve the right to reject any question for any reason
• By submitting a question you agree that content and images may be used as part of our FAQ section and searchable database for our customers
• At Cultivo, we take your privacy seriously. Names, e-mails and other contact details will remain private and will never be shared with anyone