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Post by madonplants on Sept 18, 2006 10:28:47 GMT
Hope this is not a silly question, but has anyone bought one of those tree that look mishapen and grown it at home. How did it turn out? One of my many house moves was to a new property and the builder had planted a cherry tree in the front garden. It was dreadful and I was told I could not touch it for three years. It went about 18 inches up and had a kink and then another one 2ft later then another one further up and it was only 6ft tall! At the three year stage we moved, and we gave it away to someone who liked it!!! It did have great blossum. We don't see that person anymore, so we will never know how it turns out like. I know I am fussy, especially with trees, as they have to have a decent trunk, but is everyone else like me?
Again hope this is not a daft question!
Keith
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Post by Spruance on Sept 18, 2006 10:50:21 GMT
I presume you are referring to a Corkscrew Hazel (Corylus avellana 'Contorta') Keith.
No, I haven't grown one although I have been tempted from time to time.
As for mis-shapen trees. I'm definitely with you on that. I hate anything that doesn't look 'perfect'.
I once planted a weeping Prunus Subhirtella at the bottom of the garden, but unfortunately all of the growth was on one side, making it look distinctly lop-sided! Naturally it had to go.
I realise that in nature there will always be the occasional mis-shapen plant, but in my garden I expect plants to look like the picture in the gardening book! The garden as a whole is a completely artificial environment, so why shouldn't the gardener be able to dictate the ground rules.
Spruance
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Post by Plocket on Sept 18, 2006 11:25:35 GMT
I have to admit that I'm giggling away at your posts because I have no idea what you mean about "grown at home" trees Madonplants. And Spruance what makes a plant perfect or not? I've got two corkscrew hazels and I love them - they look diseased in the summer, and so quirky in the winter - fabby!!!
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Post by madonplants on Sept 18, 2006 11:25:41 GMT
I actually meant any tree, be it a birch or a cherry tree! Sorry if I did not make myself clear. You see them at garden centres and my first thought is, who will buy that? You can go back weeks later and it will still be there. If it is not, I will think did it get sold or was it put in the skip! With shrubs, if it is slightly mishapen, you can prune it to shape or take cuttings later if it does not come OK. Like a weigela I have, that got damaged by the removal men this time. I have left it to see what it does, but have a cutting growing as well.
Keith
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Post by madonplants on Sept 18, 2006 11:29:18 GMT
Sorry Plocket. I mean, if you want say a Malus Floribunda, and there is only one at the garden centre, do you buy it and plant/grow it at home. Or do you go elsewhere? It is just, I was at a GC at the weekend and saw a few and thought do others think like me or what.
Glad I make you laugh!!
Keith
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Post by Plocket on Sept 18, 2006 11:32:13 GMT
Hehehe! Well I want the plant to look healthy, and as for being kinky or not, I guess it would depend on whether it's a nice kink or not!!!!! ;D I suppose that it would also depend on whether I know I can get what I want somewhere else, or whether it's the kinky one or nothing. Sorry I'm not really helping!
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Post by Spruance on Sept 18, 2006 11:35:06 GMT
A perfect plant Plocket?
Well you know what I mean. I like my plants to have a certain conformity - no bits shooting out willy nilly - even if it means getting the secateurs out from time to time.
That's not to say that I want everything to look like a topiarist's garden, but I just wouldn't buy the mis-shapen trees that sparked Keith's original question. Not unless there was some way to redeem their errant ways!
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Post by Plocket on Sept 18, 2006 11:39:03 GMT
Hehehe! I think most gardeners are control freaks to some degree or another because we weed, mow, tidy, feed to improve etc. Perhaps some are more controlling than others?  (she says in a cheeky fashion!) |
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Post by madonplants on Sept 18, 2006 11:50:27 GMT
No your not Plocket!!! I will be dressing my trees up in sexy underwear next.................................................................................no I won't!!!
It is just, why do the g/c sell them if people don't buy them? If you saw one at say half price, would you still spend your dosh on the better one or see how the kinky one went? I went to a g/c a few weeks ago and all the multi stemmed silver birches look like they had been growing in a galeforce wind! If you get my drift. They are still there now, albeit re potted. There were some multi stemmed Prunus Serrulas as well, but the stems were all coming off from one side, so they were mishaped. Would they have come good eventually? That is what I am really getting at! I ended up buying one with a single stem, but would have loved one with 4 or more stems coming up. I know I can turn mine into one, if needed, but that would take time.
Still glad I put a smile on your face!
Keith
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Post by Plocket on Sept 18, 2006 12:14:59 GMT
Ooops sorry Madon (NOT!!!) I'd see how the kinky one went because I'd feel sorry for it and I like a bargain!!! I guess it all depends on the buyer - I'd have to see the plant at first and if it looked weird I probably wouldn't buy it, unless it was a bargain!!! I've bought wonky looking plants in the past though and just plant them up straight - putting the root ball in the ground at an angle - am I making sense? Still grinning!!! Px |
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Post by madonplants on Sept 18, 2006 12:23:13 GMT
Ooops sorry Madon (NOT!!!) I'd see how the kinky one went because I'd feel sorry for it and I like a bargain!!! I guess it all depends on the buyer - I'd have to see the plant at first and if it looked weird I probably wouldn't buy it, unless it was a bargain!!! I've bought wonky looking plants in the past though and just plant them up straight - putting the root ball in the ground at an angle - am I making sense? Still grinning!!! Px Gooooooooooooood! Keith |
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Post by Plocket on Sept 18, 2006 12:26:10 GMT
I'm a smiler anyway Madon!!! |
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Post by Jonah on Sept 18, 2006 20:29:35 GMT
I look out on to a green and there are houses opposite about 100 meters away. When I am at the kitchen window I look out and see a conifer, quite tall and columnar, but it has a little kink at the top. It is really irritating, I feel like trimming it off!  |
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Post by Plocket on Sept 21, 2006 10:24:19 GMT
Poor tree!!!!! |
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(she says in a cheeky fashion!)
