Questions on On Line Purchase

**octopus** · 18th Jan 2012, 13:12

I am fascinated by the wide variety of plants available on line. Anyone have experience in on line purchase. Any reliable site to recommend for on line purchase. Most of all what is the minimum order $$$ and what are the freight charges like?

**Neondagger** · 18th Jan 2012, 14:54

I tried getting driftwoods from australia and US. No point unless it's a thousand dollar plant.

**daniel19831123** · 19th Jan 2012, 17:22

I think this guy was talking about plants not driftwood. I personally like the choice of plant available online. Mizuworld/aquaspotworld have good selection plant and the price wise it's only slightly more than what you would pay in the shop. I personally do think that the quality of plant that you get from them is a lot better than the quality of the plant you get from the LFS though. The only other place that I've seen that sells plants better than them are those specialised shops in Germany and UK that deals with tropica or aquafleur.

**Neondagger** · 19th Jan 2012, 17:33

Originally Posted by daniel19831123

I think this guy was talking about plants not driftwood. I personally like the choice of plant available online. Mizuworld/aquaspotworld have good selection plant and the price wise it's only slightly more than what you would pay in the shop. I personally do think that the quality of plant that you get from them is a lot better than the quality of the plant you get from the LFS though. The only other place that I've seen that sells plants better than them are those specialised shops in Germany and UK that deals with tropica or aquafleur.

Sorry I thought when he talk about online. He mean overseas. I thought driftwood and plants shipping cost should be similiar.
Well all I know it that online purchase if it's from sg. It will be cheaper than overseas. That's all. Singapore have a lot of plants why buy from overseas. Plants need to be taken care then look nice.
So you see in lfs not so nice. After 2 weeks of care they will show it's beauty.

**magpie** · 19th Jan 2012, 17:59

Hi octopus, for your information you can head down to C328 and Y618, there is a catalog of a wide range of plants that can be ordered. You can choose the plants that you like and inform them, they will place an order for you and advise you on the date of collection. Save the hassle of freight charges and courier services.

**Neondagger** · 19th Jan 2012, 18:08

More importantly you must know what you want. For me everytime I do a scape. I think.of the plants I want to use. And all of them can be found locally for now.

First think of the scape. Look at the plants they use.
Think what plants you need
Then look for them locally.
You will find them mostly.

**octopus** · 20th Jan 2012, 11:42

Neondagger : Yes i presumed that on line purchase refers to overseas purchase. Stand to be corrected though. Base on the recommendation of some members i did check out mizu world and was surprised by the competitive pricing. Though not sure how the quality is going to turn out. Even for purchases amounting to less than $7 they are prepared to courier. Yes LFS have many plants but just try looking for a common plant like Rotella....

Magpie : Yes i took that route before. Tried ordering at colorful but uncle not very keen keen because of small qty. Understandable because of the hassle involved just to earn my $5. C328, unless you are a regular better to avoid the place. Personally i also paiseh interrupt people business just for a few dollars worth.

Daniel : I think you understand the need for on line purchase. So far never heard of aquaspot world. Will check it out.

Thanks all who have participated in the discussion. Will try on line purchase and update on the outcome.

**Neondagger** · 20th Jan 2012, 11:48

Originally Posted by octopus

Neondagger : Yes i presumed that on line purchase refers to overseas purchase. Stand to be corrected though. Base on the recommendation of some members i did check out mizu world and was surprised by the competitive pricing. Though not sure how the quality is going to turn out. Even for purchases amounting to less than $7 they are prepared to courier. Yes LFS have many plants but just try looking for a common plant like Rotella....

Magpie : Yes i took that route before. Tried ordering at colorful but uncle not very keen keen because of small qty. Understandable because of the hassle involved just to earn my $5. C328, unless you are a regular better to avoid the place. Personally i also paiseh interrupt people business just for a few dollars worth.

Daniel : I think you understand the need for on line purchase. So far never heard of aquaspot world. Will check it out.

Thanks all who have participated in the discussion. Will try on line purchase and update on the outcome.

If u see. Aquaspot world is the same as mizuworld. Both contact also Ben. The same owner. The site based on sg. Just email him and ask.

In the process of learning. painful but fun!

**octopus** · 20th Jan 2012, 15:17

Originally Posted by Neondagger

If u see. Aquaspot world is the same as mizuworld. Both contact also Ben. The same owner. The site based on sg. Just email him and ask.

In the process of learning. painful but fun!

Thanks for the input. Fun, yes hope it doesnt escalate into an addiction!!

**daniel19831123** · 20th Jan 2012, 15:52

Aquaspot / mizuworld plant is a lot better quality than those you would have seen in the LFS. I've personally ordered from them more than 10 times even when I was in the UK. The portion for the staurogyne and the pogostemon helferi is at least 2-3 times as much as what you would have got from typical LFS. Surely if you go to Pasir Ris plant farm you paid like $1 per pot but the distance and the travel and the trouble to get there and back, its probably worth it just getting it online. Some people might disagree with me but I think that the quality and the vigour of the plant received is more important than the price in this instance

**daniel19831123** · 20th Jan 2012, 16:01

For example this is the quality of plant you would have received from a good tropica or aquafleur dealer

All these pictures are one pot of plants (well except for the crypt bullosa which is 2 pots) and they cost between $8-16 depending on the plants. Compare these to the plants that you see in the LFS, you will find that it's a lot more worth it to buy from a good dealer despite paying a slight premium on the plants.

**stormhawk** · 21st Jan 2012, 01:21

If you are intending to purchase plants from overseas sources, don't. They require a permit to be imported in via post since they may carry pathogens on their root systems etc, especially those grown emersed in soil. It is far easier to order locally, or buy directly from an aquatic plant farm in Singapore. Freight charges can vary depending on source countries and the size of the shipment.

I agree with Daniel's post. Plants from a reputable source are almost always in better shape, quality and quantity as compared to the regular stuff commonly seen in our LFS.

**octopus** · 25th Jan 2012, 15:55

Originally Posted by stormhawk

If you are intending to purchase plants from overseas sources, don't. They require a permit to be imported in via post since they may carry pathogens on their root systems etc, especially those grown emersed in soil. It is far easier to order locally, or buy directly from an aquatic plant farm in Singapore. Freight charges can vary depending on source countries and the size of the shipment.

I agree with Daniel's post. Plants from a reputable source are almost always in better shape, quality and quantity as compared to the regular stuff commonly seen in our LFS.

It was a misconception. I presumed that online purchases were from overseas. Nevertheless thanks for the advise.
Daniel thanks for the sharing and taking trouble to post the pictures. I could not agree more.

**ralliart12** · 25th Jan 2012, 16:13

Originally Posted by stormhawk

... Plants from a reputable source are almost always in better shape, quality and quantity as compared to the regular stuff commonly seen in our LFS.

What's a reputable local store with an online catalogue/store?

**stormhawk** · 26th Jan 2012, 00:35

For specific plants I would go with GC's site, but for more common plants, it's easier to order directly via your LFS. Note, sometimes the plants you order, may not be what you get. I once ordered some Crypt. wendtii via a local LFS near my home and got some other plant instead.

Far East Aquatic
23 Simon Road, Singapore 545909

This LFS was an agent for Tropica plants imported directly from overseas but I doubt they are still around. There are stores which have catalogues to order from the supplier directly, like C328, but whether a deposit is needed or not, I have no idea. I normally just buy whatever I like if I see it at the shops.