PRODUCT INFORMATION How are silk plants constructed? Silk plants were originally made of Chinese silk, but are now made with synthetic fabrics such as polyester. Most branches and leaves are constructed of a plastic-coated wire stem, and polyester leaves. Most silk foliage is manufactured in China and the Pacific Rim. Natural trunk trees are constructed with tree stems such as myrtle, dragon-wood, grapevine, birch, or maple. The trunks are drilled and polyester branches are secured with a glue adhesive. You can be assured that we select high-quality and realistic foliage, and design trees with the most natural appearance.Silk palm trees are usually made with a plastic, PVC, or fiberglass trunk. For a more realistic appearance, artificial palms often also sometimes have natural plant materials (such as banana skin, palm stems, or palm heads). If our silk palm trees have a natural trunk it will say this in the description. Product quality We have sold and installed thousands of silk plants over the last two decades, so you can trust our industry experience and reputation. You can expect that our products will be highest quality materials and will be attractive upon delivery as well as for years to come As plant experts, we select products that mimic nature and arrange them so that they are extremely realistic. We have tested many of our products in commercial applications, so we know that they will look great for years in your home or business. How are artificial plants arranged or assembled? The expert designers of Botanicus Etc personally arrange and assemble all plant materials prior to shipping to you. The items will be arranged for you to unpack and enjoy. All leaves, flowers, and branches will be arranged for the most natural appearance. Generally, we arrange all plants and flower arrangements to be seen from all sides. If you are placing a plant in a corner or other one-sided location, feel free to bend branches or vines to best suit your location. Some exceptions: Larger trees may need just a bit of fluffing to arrange the leaves after they are taken out of the box. Palms over 7 are designed to be securely assembled in two-parts. Due to shipping requirements, you might need to place a few palm leaves onto the trunk. This is a very easy process, and instructions will be included. How is silk plant height measured? We want you to know what you are getting! Botanicus Etc plant heights are based on the actual plant in the standard decorative container. You can expect that the item will be within 3 of our listed height. If you select an upgrade decorative container or no container, the item may vary slightly from the listed height. In the silk plant industry, height is measured from the bottom of a container to the tip of a leaf stretched to its highest point. Therefore, most plants sold as 72 will really be about 66 in your space. We list this plant on our site as 66 high, although most catalogs will classify this as a 72" (or 6 foot) plant. What size artificial plant should I order? As a rule, plants look best when they are about 1-2 from the ceiling. If you have standard 8 ceilings, a 6 or 7 plant looks perfect. If you have an older home with 9 ceilings, we suggest a 7 plant. The exception is for cathedral ceilings; we suggest a 9-12 silk plant if you have the standard 14 cathedral ceiling height. Not every plant has to be tallif you have the floor space we often design a grouping of a tall plant next to one or two bushy ones. We always recommend choosing silk plants with different leaf shapes for a nice arrangement. Plant weight Most silk plants and palm trees are remarkably light (about 25 pounds). Natural trunk artificial trees are a bit heavier, due to the use of real wood (30-50 pounds for a 7 foot tree). Most people can easily move silk plants around their home or office.We add weight to the base of our containers to prevent tipping. If you have a high traffic location, you can request additional weight (this may result in higher shipping charges). Plants over 7 feet high require additional weight due to their top-heavy nature. Silk plants for outdoors None of our plants are specifically designed for outdoor conditions. Many silk plants are constructed of waterproof materials, such as polyester and plastic, and can be used in covered outdoor areas (like porches) for some time. However, long-term exposure to UV rays may cause color fading and cause plastic stems to split. Over time, plants will deteriorate outdoors. Palm and other trees may lose their leaves in high winds. Silk trees and artificial palms with natural trunks are not definitely suitable for outdoors as water will swell and decay their trunks. Fire retardant silk plants The silk plants featured on our website are NOT fire retardant. Please contact us for information on the availability of fire retardant artificial plants. Potting Our plants are potted into the container using expanding foam. This provides a stable, lightweight, and secure base. The container is weighted to prevent tipping, and foam is applied up to about 1 inch from the container rim. Artificial Spanish moss is then applied for a finished look, unless base foliage is selected. For upgrade container options, a plastic lining will be used for easier removal (in case you want to change out in the future). Exceptions: If plant does not include the standard container or includes a special container, this will be described on the item description. Click here to view the included container options and information on upgrade containers. Wholesale & Commercial orders If you are a member of the design industry, wholesale discounts are available for pre-qualified vendors. Click here for our wholesale buyer information page. Shipping costs Shipping costs for each item are based on FedEx Ground delivery to address in Continental USA. Shipping is based on order total, and your location. Click here to see our table of shipping costs. |