Comments regarding Flora Exotica

Thanks for the very good service, my plant arrived in wonderful shape very healthy, packaging was excellent and
speedy delivery. All E mails were promptly answered. Very
happy with the service. Will use again for sure

I have placed two orders with Flora Exotica. Both times, I ordered tea (Camellia sinensis) plants. On both occasions, the plants arrived within 2 business days of ordering, and in perfect condition. The plants themselves appeared healthy and vigorous, despite being tumbled about in the mail. Perry answered questions promptly and also provided useful advice on how to care for the plants. I would not hesitate to order from him again and I highly recommend his store to anyone looking for exotic plants.

Ordered 2 houseplants from them just couple of weeks ago. Transaction was smooth & plants arrived here in S. California, in very good condition within 3 business days. Perry was also very helpful with regards to my queries on growing the exotics, days after the whole transaction was completed. Will definitely buy from them again.

I recently purchased two dwarf Trees, and I am VERY HAPPY with my experience with this Company.
Fast shipping, Healthy looking trees, and always responded to my e-mail questions.
Will do business with them again
Sincerely
Luis

After decades of avid gardening and purchases, I was happily surprised by the service I received from Flora Exotica.
I have ordered many plants via the mail in the past and was prepared for the mediocre greenery I had been used to receiving.
Not in this case, there was exceptional communication and product. The plants are more substantial and healthier than I could have imagined.
I was alerted when the plants would arrive, received them on time, and am proud to say they are adjusting to thier new "digs" quite nicely.
I will not hesitate to order from this company again.

First of all, this was the only place i could actually find the tree i was looking for after hours of searching (*note - I am an research analyst for a living.. and a good searcher). The communication was great, the price was great, and the shipping was surprisingly fast. Very good vendor!

First off, this was my first time dealing with FloraExotica. Like some others, I had some communication problems after I'd sent payment for the items I'd chosen which made me very anxious. My order was shipped about a month late, but arrived quickly after it was actually shipped and arrived in great condition. For those of you that have paid for items and are waiting for them, don't worry, they will eventually arrive, and most likely, be in good shape. I hope this serves to reassure some who are waiting for purchases to arrive, wondering if they've been swindled. Your order will arrive, though, you may want to send a few reminders. For exotic plants, I will most likely frequent FloraExotica again.

My shipment to Puerto Rico arrived very fast and the 6 oleander plants were in perfect shape. Thanks a bunch for the care you put into shipping and such beautiful plants.

As of now I am neutral, I have sent 3 e-mails, left 3 voice messages, and called Perry's cell phone only to find that it was full and I couldn't leave a message.

I placed an order on May 13th and have not heard a thing from my e-mails and messages. I have not received any confirmation except that my payment was accepted. On the web site it stated that everything was in stock but, for some reason nothing has been received and it has been 2 weeks now. Depending on what happens I will be moving the neutral to a positive or negative. I ordered a large miracle fruit plant ($80) and a pack of ten miracle fruit tabs ($15). The reason for this is because my father-in-law is going thru chemo and I read that these berries/tabs help take away the metallic taste and make eating more pleasant for cancer patients.

I ordered a mango plant, vanilla orchid, miracle fruit plant, and a cinnamon tree. All plants were well packaged and in great condition upon arrival.
I am very pleased with these plants and will certainly be shopping at Flora Exotica again!

Thanks Perry!

I looked high and low for both local and online nurseries which sold and understood how to maintain a "Bodhi" tree (Ficus Religiosa) and would provide healthy specimens for both tall, indoor trees and for making bonsai. I was ready to call it impossible when I found Perry at Flora Exotica. Not only did they have specimens in both sizes, but Perry was patient giving me a lot of his time while educating me as this ficus is not the easiest of which to make bonsai, but do grow indoors (as I have found recently) quite well. They shipped me extremely healthy and generous sized large specimens (which are thriving in my shrine room; I am Buddhist if you had not guessed ) and some very promising small ones to work to make bonsai from as this strain is easier to raise from smaler specimens to work on bonsai so that the leaves do not get too big first. I cannot say enough nice things about how great was it to work with Perry!

As well, my next venture may be to attempt to make a lotus plant indoors (can be done!) and they do have specimens but I was discouraged from buying the finished product (which was a better revenue generator for them) as I was told that if I worked with my own tubers and did it myself I was more likely to be successful.

I would not hesitate to buy anything from Flora Exotica again!

Regards to all,

Susan Schlenger

Good services from Flora Exotica. I ordered couple plants from Perry with many questions regarding about pricing and shipping. I got all of my questions answered promptly. The trees arrived in very great conditions and healthy even though they were a week in Canada Post hands.

At first, I chose to ship the plants with Expedited Shipping. Later on, I realized that I need plants sooner. I asked Perry to ship the plants with XPressPost through Canada Post (2 business days). However, dump Canada Post didn't ship after 4 business days (plus 2 weekend days). Perry did open a trace and he refunded my XPressPost shipping money after he had gotten back from Canada Post.

I searched on the internet for a Canadian company that could ship lemon trees and Flora Exotica was mentioned numerous times- quite highly regarded. So, I ordered a Meyer Lemon and a Calamansi tree, both in 10-inch pots. They arrived propmptly, packaged so well that the fruits that were already growing on the plants did not even fall off. They seem to be very healthy plants and I received detailed care instructions on how to keep them healthy. Perry responded to my many questions very quickly and the answers he gave me provided me with the exact information that I needed. Perry offers very unique products and I am very excited to order from his company, Flora Exotica, in the future. I would recommend this company to all. Order without hesitation. Thank you Perry!

I have now purchased twice from Flora Exotica. I was very hesitant the first time, but the plants arrived, undamaged and have been growing ever since. The second order has just arrived and the plants all look very healthy and vigorous. I also received notes on how to look after the plants - they are somewhat unusual exotic plants, so I was very grateful for the hints. Perry Nguyen has been quick to respond to questions and very helpful.

I have a Meyer Lemon Citrus tree that's doing very well (indoor under Metal Halide lights in the winter and outdoors during the summer). I wanted another brand of lemon tree but couldn't convince the folks at my local greenhouse to order it in for me. There are several US based Citrus growers but they tend to shy away from shipping to Canada as there's a ton of paper work and border bureaucracy to deal with. I did a search on the web for Canadian Citrus and found a web link to the Montreal based Flora Exotica. I was a bit apprehensive about ordering a Citrus tree from an online garden site but any concerns I had were put to rest after I spoke with the owner, Perry Nguyen. I found him to be knowledgeable and trustworthy so I ordered a Eureka Lemon (for myself), a Meyer Lemon (for a co-worker), and a Satsuma Manderine (for another co-worker). Perry shipped the trees out on Monday and I got them in the mail on Friday. I couldn't believe how healthy and green the trees were with several fruits and blossoms to boot. And the packaging was superb. I'm planning on ordering a Washington or Robertson navel orange tree from him sometime before fall. Thank-you Perry for answering all of my e-mails and for your great customer service!

I recently ordered a Hoya compacta 'Hindu Rope' in 8-inch hanging basket from Flora Exotica. I was apprehensive for two reasons: first, the plant was for my mother so didn't want to disappoint her; and second I was unsure about shipping such a plant via the mail from Montreal to New Brunswick with concern of how it would arrive. I got a call form my mother on her birthday and she was overjoyed at the plant and she was amazed it had arrived in near perfect condition, all the blooms intact. It would appear that the company knows how to ship plants so that they arrive. Now my mother knows this place is reliable, I am sure she'll be after more plants!

I was looking for exotic flower-trees to replace my ficus and other non-blooming in-house trees. I was afraid to be stuck with growing seeds or to find a producer but so far away that the cost would be prohibitive. After browsing on the net, I was very surprised to find a producer right in my city, Montreal, Canada. After few exchanges of e-mails and calls, I got there to take my 4 plants. They were pest-free, leaves were perfect showing a good history of care. Instructions for repotting were adequate.

So for all of you in freezing deep-cold Canada, remember that we have Perry here in Montreal growing exotic plants for us !

I already reserved a couple of plants from the newest plants in spring.

This was my first time ever ordering a live plant (tree) over the internet. I was a little unsure how someone would ship two trees from Canada to California. After talking with Perry at Flora Exotica my worriers were put to ease. I ordered two Michilea Champaca trees. The package arrived one day early, when I saw the box I thought this is interesting. I opened it right away and inside were two well developed trees about three feet long with many branches,leaves and a flower bud on one of the trees. The trees were tied with twine,taped,packed with wadded newspaper and well restrained with no damage not even a missing leaf!
I am very happy with my purchase and am already planning my next order with Perry at Flora Exotica.
Thanks again Perry!
Dave

WOW!! I was very excited to find Fora Exotica site on line. My experience was great with Perry. I orderded the plants and was shocked to have them arrived so early and in such great conditions considering I am in Florida.
I will definately be buying more plants from them very soon.
Perry was a gem to work with and you can tell he knows what he's talking about. I am a very satisfied customer and can't wait to eat the fruits from my trees.

Last week I found this company , this week I have everything I ordered
in very good condition, shipping was very fast, well packaged,
overall I am very satisfied and I am sure I will order more from this company,
Thank you Perry

On a trip to the western Caribbean it became my mission to find an outstandingly beautiful tree/shrub on the islands called the Flamboyant Tree or Royal Poinciana. Determined to take on the challenge of growing the Flamboyant in "non-tropical" Ottawa, my internet search took me to Flora Exotica, and to Perry who delivered to me promptly, and in excellent condition, two starter Flamboyant trees as I requested, which are flourishing in my house. Nice to know that I can easily find any plant with one quick e-mail to Perry at Flora Exotica.

This order was shipped on a Monday so that it wouldn't spend the weekend in the box.
I was very pleased with the plants I ordered and received. If these are small cuttings at least 12 in. & plants several sections of leaves, large ones must be brutes.
Most helpful and cooperative.

I am extremely pleased with the quality of service and plants.
I ordered Flamboyant, Gold Cassia and Jacaranda Mimisifolia plants from the website and I received availability and order confirmation with a shipping date promptly. Perry also sent a follow-up e-mail saying "Hope the plants arrived safely" which shows that he cares about his products and customers.
The Products were shipped out as promised and arrived the next day (earlier than expected). All the plants were in excellent condition, very healthy, well-rooted and were well packaged.
I am impressed with the selection and the wide variety of hard-to-find tropical plants available at Flora Exotica and most of these products are not available in local nursiers (in the GTA).
The greatest thing is this company is located in Canada.

Very happy to have this vendor here in Canada! He has a wide range of rare tropical plants and if he doesn't have one, he will try to get it for you. Plants I received are in beautiful shape and you can tell that he knows what he is doing and that he likes doing it. The shipment was very quick and paypal transactions are secure since you never divulge your credit card number or bank account to any vendor and all communication is encrypted.
What can I say, I am ordering some more!

I am very pleased with my plants from Flora Exotica. I purchased a clivia miniata (Kaffir Lily), a antigonon (Rose Montana Vine), and a strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise). The plants were in a roomy box but the containers were taped down so they would not move. Each container was wrapped in a plastic bag to prevent the soil from falling out. The plants were very healthy - no brown or wilted leaves. The plants arrived on the day I would told they would arrive. They were mailed on a Monday and arrived on a Friday - including going through customs. I would purchase plants from this company again.

I ordered 50 sensitive plants that I need for an important science experiment I am doing over the summer. I could not find any adult sensitive plants in the city where I live and found this company on the internet. Perry was very helpful and quick in answering my many questions via e-mail. All of the plants arrived in excellent condition after they were picked by my uncle in Montreal. Perry also sent very detailed instructions on how to care for the plants via e-mail. In addition, Perry answered an extensive list of questions I had related to the age and conditions the plants were kept under (eg. how many hours of sunlight they received a day, the soil composition etc...). This information will be very valuable for my laboratory write up. In all, I had a very good experience with Flora Exotica.

I would like to give my experience to other Canadian's especially those that are looking for those exotic plants that you would not find in your local plant shops...I have been dealing with Perry at Flora Excotica for three years now...I live in Northern Alberta...I just received a shipment of plants this week...plants that I specially ordered in March...the plants came via expedite parcels...they came in exactly 1 week...the plants were well packaged and in excellent condition...so many of the plants that I have ordered from Perry are plants that I have seen on the U.S. plant site but impossible to get shipped here to Canada...Flora Excotica has so much to offer and if you don't see it on their website...email Perry and he will get right back to you and let you know if he can get it for you or not...I have used Pay Pal for payment very easy and safe...once Perry has received payment, he is very quick in getting plants shipped...with our climate he ships when safe to do so...I highly recommend this company and Perry for their great service...and I will continue to order plants from them...Thanks Perry..Keep up the good work....Gladys

Contacted Flora Exotica (12/06) about the availability of a 2' ficus religiosa (Bodhi Tree). Informed though in stock, shipment would be delayed until warmer weather.

This was my first venture into ordering a plant online. Having loaded trucks for a major carrier in the past, I am aware of the potential for rough handling. Nevertheless, I dearly wanted this plant and rolled the dice. I need not have worried. The packing of my 2 foot tree was adequate. After traveling 1,300 miles, over 4 days, my Bo Tree arrived safe, healthy, and as scheduled.

Perry has been quick to respond to email inquiries; always courteous and helpful. As pleasant and trouble-free as this transaction went, I would not hesitate to order again from Flora Exotica.

Extremely positive experience- called to order a Bodhi Tree, was advised on stock immediately and in a very helpful manner soon had an order in place- order was received in a few days, ,well protected and identified- the 5' tree is great, was well packaged and on receipt received a follow-up email advising on care. One question received a clear and detailed response. I am thoroughly impressed with both the product and the service received.

I have only good things to say about ordering my Clivia miniata plant from Flora Exotica. Perry quickly answered all my email questions before purchase and my Clivia arrived 2 days after ordering. I was able to track it's progress through Canada Post on the web. Packaging was simple but effective and it arrived safe and sound. It is a beautiful healthy looking plant and came with the flower buds just opening. A wonderful burst of colour, and more buds are coming up. I have wanted a Clivia for years; it's a plant my mother kept on the windowsill throughout my childhood in England, and that same plant is still going strong 50+ years later. I have only seen one other for sale in the Ottawa area in a florist's shop. It was $65 plus tax. Thinking that no-one would buy it for that price, I went back months later when it wasn't in flower hoping to get a deal, but no! It was still $65.00! So imagine my delight when I found Flora Exotica sells them for a much more reasonable price, and more economical with less hassle than ordering from an American mail order company. My hope is that they will be able to expand their selection in the future, so I can buy more varieties. I am totally hooked on this plant and would recommend it to anyone looking for something truly exotic, unusual, a real showstopper with it's gorgeous orange/red flowers and glossy dark green strap leaves. By all accounts it is easy to grow in the house, likes shade, a plant loved by Victorians, therefore with a history of being grown in darkish Victorian households. And...as far as I know, it's only available at Flora Exotica. I would recommend this plant and this company to anyone who loves beautiful, unusual plants.

I would just like to express my thanks to Perry and Flora Exotica. I e-mailed Perry for information, placed my order and received my plants, all within one week. Perry promptly replied to my e-mails, was helpful and patient in my final decision and my Hoyas arrived nicely packed and in excellent condition. I'd also like to add that the plants were well established, were well rooted and very clean. I would encourage anyone looking for the 'unusual' to not hesitate in ordering from Flora Exotica, they are one of the best in Canada, in my opinion. Thanks Perry. Karen

I ordered a Night Blooming Cereus, and a Lotus Mrs. Perry Slocum, please excuse my spelling I didn't keep order form. I'm from U.S. and was slightly worried because I thought customs would be nosey. They were. The box was obviously opened and poorly resealed. It was also completely flatened when it got here. However, the quality of packaging was perfect for the plants. They looked fine and I was surprised considering the shape of the box. The Lotus was not just one small banana looking thing but two, and althought one of the "tubers" growing tip was broken off ( I blame customs), the other was in great shape. A nice fat looking thing. I planted it in some really stinky wet compost muck from the recycling center and it went crazy. It sent leaf buds out within days and by August I was on my forth amazing bloom, they just kept coming, it is Oct. now and I can't express how happy I was with this plant. Everyone asked about it. Thanks Perry. I also had the best experience with the Cereus. It was well rooted when it arrived in a 3 or 4 inch pot, I'm serious about the well rooting. Not what I'm used to. I actually let out a hoot when I pulled it out of the pot and saw how well it looked. It promptly started to grow and is very large now, I am waiting for flower buds, and getting ready to repot it for the second time. A very worthwhile experience all around. I would definately order again with zero hesitation. The plants did better than stuff I get locally. I'll stop gushing now. I did have a problem receiving e-mail. I think it is because of the way I have my security set up. So adjust your settings and don't give up if you don't hear back from them. This place is worth it.

I ordered seeds for:
- Averrhoa carambola
- Passionflora edulis
- Lycium barbarum
- Punica granatum 'Nana'
- longan (dragon eye)
- Annona squamosa

All of my annona germinated, most of my Lycium germinated (But I received significantly more seeds than I ordered so I ended up with more plants then I expected!) all of my punica germanated, unfortunately my longan and carambola seeds tried to germinate but became fungus infected (too much water, oops. my thumb is not very green yet) I am still waiting for the passionflora but its only been in the ground for two weeks so far.

my experience with flora exotica has been great, especially compared to other seed companies. When I asked for his opinion on ordering theobroma cacao plants I got an honest answer! Delivery was quick and the instructions worked. I am looking forward to more orders with this company.

Overall great service. Very reasonable shipping price, and my miracle fruit plant arrived in perfect condition.
I had a few questions, both before and after purchasing, and Perry answered them and was very helpful.
Great seller.

I purchased two "miracle fruit" plants and received them yesterday. Plants
were extremely well packed and arrived in great shape. Had several questions before purchase and had very quick response to my e-mails by
Perry. Excellent experience.

I visited Flora Exotica today to buy some Hoya cuttings, and I was very pleased with the size, price and selection of what he had available. I will definitely buy from him again, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend FE to anyone looking for something off the beaten path.

BP

WARNING!!! Based on the good ratings in here, I placed an order 4 days ago for 36.00 through PayPal and have not received confirmation from this company regarding my order. When I initially emailed the company on how to place an order, I received 2 helpful responses On The Same Day. Once I sent the money (the same day), I can't get back in touch with them. Here is a copy of the e-mail they sent to me on how to pay them:

From: "Perry Nguyen"
[Add to Address Book]
To:
Subject: Paying for Posters and Egyptian onions
Date: Saturday, August 05, 2006 7:55:28 PM [View Source]

Margaret,
Please send the total ($16 + $10 + $10 = $36) to my Email ID via PayPal at this
link: //www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/ema/index-outside
Thanks

They sure are quick to take the money. I'm probably lucky it was only 36.00. And by the way, the $$ was in AMERICAN $$ and they are in Canada. Be very cautious about ordering from this company.

"

I just got back from a trip to attend my brother's wedding from August 04 to August 13. We had some problem with internet connection there, and could not get into Email as intended. I have sent Email to explain the situation, and will process the order as soon as possible.

The order was processed today.

There is definitely some communication problem here as Emails have been sent to the customer to update the progress of this order (see below). First Email sent on Aug 17 with a picture of the content of the package, and second Email sent Aug 21 with proof of shipment. As the customer did not give a contact phone number, Email is our only way to make contact. Will resend the Emails to see if they will get through this time !

Note to Margaret: If you are reading this, please call me at our phone (514) 747-7618 or our cell (514) 268-2323. I will resend the proof of shipment and continue to try to contact you via Email.

FROM: "Perry Nguyen" | Save Address
DATE: Mon, 21 Aug 2006 19:47:09 -0700
TO: "lafko06@aol.com"
SUBJECT: Receipt for shipping your Posters and Bulbs

Margaret,

Please find attached a copy of the receipt from the Post Office. This is a proof of shipping for your 2 posters and 20 Egyptian Onion Bulbs.

Please let me know if you have received this Email, as many Emails are sent but never received because of spam filters.

Thanks.

--
Perry Nguyen , Flora Exotica
Email: Perry@FloraExotica.ca
Web site http://www.floraexotica.ca
Phone&Fax (514) 747-7618
Cell (514) 268-2323
--

Margaret Lafko - Post Office Receipt.JPG (Binary attachment)


FROM: "Perry Nguyen" | Save Address
DATE: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 11:48:07 -0700
TO:
SUBJECT: Order for Posters and Onion Bulbs Processed

Margaret,

Your order for 2 posters and 20 Egyptian Onion bulbs has been processed. Postal services usually take one or two weeks to deliver to your address. Please see attached picture.

I sincerely apologize for not being able to communicate with you during our trip.

Thanks.


--
Perry Nguyen , Flora Exotica
Email: Perry@FloraExotica.ca
Web site http://www.floraexotica.ca
Phone&Fax (514) 747-7618
Cell (514) 268-2323
--

Margaret Lafko.JPG (Binary attachment)
"

I ordered a 3' Mexican Oleander from Flora Exotica, as none were available in the San Diego area. I was provided a UPS shipping date, a tracking number and an approximate delivery date. My plant traveled almost 3,500 miles, a week long journey, from Canada to Southern California, during a nation-wide (and local) heat wave. It arrived in excellent condition and health. I was really pleased with my Flora Exotica experience, and will order from Perry again. Anyone worried about the transit can expect the plant to arrive as safely as it would if it traveled from a local nursery on SoCal freeways!

During the fall of 2005 I conducted an Internet search for plant vendors who might have, and be willing to sell me a couple of Dwarf Lotus seeds. This inquiry eventually morphed into a decision to purchase an already 'hatched' dwarf lotus plant.

Flora Exotica was one of the plant dealers I contacted, and Perry told me he'd have good-to-go lotus tubers sometime in May, 2006. When the time came to place my order, the specific lotus I wanted wasn't available, but Perry recommended an available alternative which had almost identical characteristics and I was happy to accept that one instead. Additionally, I ordered a fragrant night-blooming cactus.

I asked Perry a lot of questions about both the lotus and the cactus. He was very informative and patient and aside from answering my queries based on his personal experience, he sent me a helpful and concise Internet link about the lotus life cycle and how to care for it during its seasonally determined phases. I also had a drawn-out and irritating experience with PayPal and ultimately elected to send Perry a personal cheque. He showed heroic patience during this process!

Both the tuber and the cactus arrived in fine repair and between the info I got from Perry and my own research, both plants are thriving and I'm quite happy with them. A week or so after these plants arrived I read about and asked Perry if he carried an unusual vine that's related to the Hydrangea shrub. He looked into it and said that if he couldn't acquire the exact plant he could get me its nearest relative--so to speak. I may look into his offer later on.

Last week I ordered a baby Magnolia Coco tree. It arrived in jig time in fine shape. I repotted it in a slightly larger pot--gave it some food and a comfy spot by a northeast window, and I'm looking forward to eventually seeing its first bloom.

My next purchase from Perry will be a Jasmine Sambac 'Grand Duke'. I can't wait!