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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2006 11:07:46 GMT
Hi all,
I've noticed from various threads that some of you also buy cheapie plants at Lidl, Aldi, M&S etc. What's your general experience? I bought summer bulbs which all came up, and lots of bare rooted plants in the spring, only about 50% of which took (but that might have had as much to do with my inexperience as the plant quality). Also a number of hebes which are thriving. Last week bought a load of species tulips at Lidl which will hopefully be OK. On the other hand, bought some dirt-cheap perennials during the summer - also at Lidl - which were bone-dry and pot-bound; I thought I could revive them with some TLC but, except for one campanula and some agastache, they've died. Any thoughts on the value of supermarket plants? ... cheers ...
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Post by Plocket on Sept 21, 2006 11:36:13 GMT
I've bought houseplants from M&S and found them to be in good nick but a bit dry.
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Sept 21, 2006 11:38:57 GMT
Hi,
I work in a small nursery so I'm afraid I'm all for supporting your local business.
Maybe we should start selling baked beans and bread etc!!
Susie
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2006 11:51:45 GMT
Susie ... you're right, and now I feel a bit hypocritical, because I would always support my local butcher, greengrocer etc. (although we don't actually have a local nursery, living in the city centre). And I realise that buying bulbs at a supermarket can have a knock-on effect on specialist suppliers, or growers like Dee. The difference is that supermarket purchases are impulse purchases - you're there anyway - whereas, when I bought bulbs earlier this month from the local supplier, I made a deliberate trip. You've given me something to chew on there ... cheers ...
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Post by Jonah on Sept 21, 2006 12:06:37 GMT
Personally, I think buying from supermarkets and box grown plants from the diy shop are very hit and miss. However I don't think it affects my buying from the nursery or garden centre. If I want to buy plants or browse I would go to a suitable place. But if I am grocery shopping I may be tempted on a garden purchase, simply due to a plant buying compulsion. It just means I get extra little additions every now and then that I would not have gone and bought otherwise.
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Post by chickadeedeedee on Sept 21, 2006 13:38:04 GMT
Your best chance at healthy disease and pest free plants and bulbs is from your local nursery. They can offer you the advice needed how to care for your new plant(s) properly where the supermarkets and DIYs usually don't have a clue but may give you incorrect advice as well. The non-nursery plants are for impulse purchases and I admit I have succumbed at times. I have purchased spectacular orchids in bloom and some oddities for prices that are almost a give away! You need to carefully inspect the potential purchase closely for insect pests or disease even more so if not obtained from a proper nursery. I have been very happy with my supermarket plant purchases so far. That would also include cutting of various willow or other plants that can easily be rooted at home that are sold to make floral arrangements.  As with anything - anywhere ... buyer beware. ChickaDx3 |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2006 15:20:52 GMT
But if I am grocery shopping I may be tempted on a garden purchase, simply due to a plant buying compulsion. Same here, I've got that disorder too. ;D Some supermarkets look after their plants and some don't. I'm very happy in general with the plants I've bought from supermarkets, but if it looks dead and dried up....depends on whether you want to take a gamble or not. Some outdoor plants bought from supermarkets go into shock when they're put outside to face the elements for the first time, as up 'til then they've spent their lives indoors. I nearly lost a Mile-a-Minute that way. They're usually as tough as old boots but it just keeled over on being outside, I had to acclimatise it gradually. It's thriving now but it could have been a different story. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2006 15:49:43 GMT
Hi Mrs. Beige ... if by mile-a-minute you mean Russian ivy ... would you want it to thrive  ? I had one experience of this plant in the small yard I had in my previous house. After it had taken over the house, and the neighbours, it took my partner and me several days to dig it up - it had actually grown through the pot and rooted IN CONCRETE!!! ... cheers ... |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2006 16:26:29 GMT
Well I think everone will know which side of the fence I am on too. Somedays I think if I hear 'they've got some lovely xxx bulbs at Tesco's or B&Q ot the garage up the road' just one more time I'll jack it all in and go and get an office job that will give me a living wage in the warm and dry.  |
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Post by MamIDdau on Sept 21, 2006 17:47:21 GMT
See, I only buy them from B&Q because I work there and I can get them cheap. For me, I can only afford to feed my plant addiction if I can spend a little and get a lot.
I know that if I went to the nursery I would get a better quality and variety of plant but I know I wouldn't be able to decide between the plants and I certainly can't afford to get them all. It's bad enough working next door to the bulb display at work without buying them all. I've been very good so far though! For me, I'm buying cheap plants to get cheap colour and a bit of experience with the different plants. I don't want to spend loads to find out I've killed it. I don't mind experimenting if it only costs me 20p. When I know more about what I want and like I will be able to go to a nursery, know what I'm looking at and buy what I need rather than just looking at everything now and wanting to buy them all.
And Dee, you wouldn't want an office job!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2006 19:46:33 GMT
Hi canarycreeper,
Yes Russian Vine, believe it or not it wilted when it left the warmth of Wilkinsons and looked a gonner, it went into a dreadful state. It's cheerfully now training itself over our pergola, and behaving itself quite nicely for the moment, in fact if it went that bit madder we would be happy........as things stand right now.....
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Post by oldmoleskins on Sept 21, 2006 19:52:00 GMT
I bought a load of container box hedging from B&Q earlier this year, marked at £4.95 for 6.
Asked how much if I took the lot - 60 packs - they gave in without too much of a struggle at £3.99. Beautiful strong plants at less than the wholesale price of 6 or 7 years ago when I was in the trade...
OM
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2006 21:24:19 GMT
I try not to buy from supermarkets as their plants always seem to look "well passed their sell buy date" |
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Post by MamIDdau on Sept 22, 2006 16:29:33 GMT
Blimey OM, I'm surprised they didn't struggle lol Then again, gets them sold and looks good on their figures I guess.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2006 17:48:16 GMT
I have bought the odd plant at a supermarket - definitely an impulse buy. It was a white dicentra and it flourished in my old garden. I also bought a whole tray of colchicum bulbs from a market stall for £5. There were probably 30 bulbs there and they were planted all over the garden and are still putting on a good show now.
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Post by Cheerypeabrain on Sept 26, 2006 9:43:33 GMT
I don't drive, and most of the 'local' GCs aren't on bus routes...so I'm stuffed basically unless I can cadge a lift from a relative. I've tried buying over the web...but as I work I don't really want stuff delivered when I'm not home. I try and stock up with essentials when my sisters take me to GCs in their cars...but sometimes I just HAVE to give in and buy something that's being ill-treated in a city-centre supermarket...if only to rescue it from a grisly death.... |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2006 15:11:12 GMT
The majority of my plants come from the garden center but If I do spot a plant in a store that looks interesting then I will buy it. For instance this Spring I bought a white Buddleia from Wilkinson's and it thrived in it's first year. Nothing but nothing would ever turn me away from a leasurely walk around garden centers looking for the plants that are full of nectar for our wildlife!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2006 20:00:41 GMT
I have the same problem with not having a car. GCs are usually hard to get to by public transport. There is a (very) small nursery within walking distance (about a mile) and I go there when I can, but they don't always have what I'm after, so I sometimes have to resort to places like Homebase or cadge a lift to a GC off my long suffering mother.
Apart from that, I mostly get stuff on the internet. I'm a research student and do a lot of my work at home, so I can be in for delivery. On the occasions that I'm out, our neigfhbours take deliveries in for us as they are retired and in most of the time.
The one thing I do tend to pick up in supermarkets is those pots of herbs you get for the kitchen windowsill. They inevitably get droopy and sad very quickly, but if they are potted on and taken outside and given a bit of tlc they usually come good in the end. That's where the mint, parsley and thyme I have in the garden comes from.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2006 13:59:20 GMT
"I try not to buy from supermarkets as their plants always seem to look "well passed their sell buy date""
My wife and I were looking for a standard rose for her brothers golden wedding anniversary (September). We tried several Garden Centres before we found a decent looking rose. Most of our GC's don't seem to look after their stock very well. Our local supermarket has plants and shrubs from Suttons, they don't have vast stocks but do keep them moving so they are in good condition.
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Post by andy on Oct 5, 2006 15:02:01 GMT
Don't forget that garden centre, supermarket and DIY store plants almost always come from the same places....Holland !!!
If you buy the plants within a short time of them coming into the shops, they will be fine. But supermarkets such as Tesco do not employ dedicated garden staff where as larger DIY stores do.
I've bought plenty of indoor plants from tesco....including some phelaenopsis orchids that lasted for a year in flower !!!!!
Andy
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? I had one experience of this plant in the small yard I had in my previous house. After it had taken over the house, and the neighbours, it took my partner and me several days to dig it up - it had actually grown through the pot and rooted IN CONCRETE!!! ... cheers ...
