FAQs

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We have a few ways to shop with us! You can browse and order online at schlieftropicals.com or through the PalmStreet app. We also host weekly live sales on Fridays at 3:30 PM ET across Palmstreet, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok — a great way to see the plants up close before buying. Prefer to shop in person? Call or text us at 586-229-1144 to set up an appointment.

Orders must be placed by Sunday at 8 PM CST to ship the following Monday. Orders placed after that cutoff will be held and shipped the next Monday.

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We ship once a week, every Monday via USPS Priority Mail. This schedule allows us to carefully prepare each order and monitor conditions across shipping routes to ensure your plants arrive safely.

Yes! A USPS Priority upgrade is available in the shop at checkout if you'd like faster delivery.

All orders include insulation at no additional cost to help buffer your plants from temperature fluctuations during transit. During colder months, we also offer heat packs for purchase, which are strongly recommended when temperatures drop below 45°F.

💡 Winter tip: If your area is experiencing freezing temperatures or potential delivery delays, we highly recommend having your package held at your local post office for pickup. This significantly reduces the risk of cold damage.

Yes — plant safety always comes first. We closely monitor weather conditions along all shipping routes and reserve the right to hold orders if extreme temperatures or storms could put your plants at risk. If your order is affected, we will notify you promptly.

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We've spent years refining a soil formula that works beautifully for our plants. Here's our go-to mix:

  • 40% Fir Bark — we recommend ReptiBark
  • 20% Peat Moss
  • 20% Perlite
  • 20% Vermiculite
Why this mix? This blend prioritizes drainage and aeration — critical for Hoya roots. The fir bark creates air pockets that prevent compaction, while vermiculite retains just enough moisture to support healthy growth without waterlogging.

We recommend Jack's All Purpose 20-20-20 as a balanced, reliable fertilizer for Hoyas. It provides even nutrition to support both foliage and blooming throughout the growing season.

We've had great results with several options depending on your setup:

  • GE LED Screw-In Grow Light Bulb — great for smaller setups or supplementing natural light
  • Freelicht 60W Full Spectrum Grow Lights — a solid mid-range option
  • Mars Hydro LED Grow Lights — available in various sizes for larger grow spaces

We recommend keeping a jeweler's loupe handy for close inspection — it makes spotting spider mites, mealybugs, and other small pests much easier. For ongoing protection, Azamax is our top pick for preventative treatment and routine maintenance. For more serious infestations, Abamectin and Bifen are effective options — but always read the label carefully before use.

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These are the items we reach for most often in our own grow space:

  • Felco Bypass Pruners — precise, clean cuts every time
  • Joyce Chen Kitchen Scissors — versatile for propagation and general trimming
  • Bamboo Skewers — our low-tech moisture meter of choice
  • Tubtrugs — ideal for mixing and repotting
  • Rabbit Fencing — great for DIY trellis making
  • Velcro Tape — for training vines without damage
  • Xenvo Phone Macro Lens — for capturing stunning bloom photos
  • Rongon Jewelers Loupe — for detailed pest inspections
Find them all: Affiliate links to every product above are available on our website. Purchasing through these links supports our small business at no extra cost to you — thank you!
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Absolutely — education is at the heart of what we do. You can catch us on two recurring live formats each week:

  • Educational Livestreams — Sundays at 9:30 AM ET covering care topics, propagation, grow space tours, and more
  • Live Sales — Fridays at 3:30 PM ET on Palmstreet, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

We also publish in-depth care articles in our Library on the website, covering topics like pest management, soil science, lighting, and propagation techniques.

Follow us on social media at @SchliefTropicals across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. You can also subscribe to our newsletter for pre-sale previews (sent out Thursday evenings before our Friday sales), restocks, and plant care tips.

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Still have questions?

We're happy to help — reach out anytime and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.