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Post by Jasmine on Jun 8, 2013 14:19:27 GMT
One of lupins had snapped off this morning - no one mentioned this wind did they? It's so hot in a sheltered spot and then you walk out into the garden and the wind is cold. Sorry your garden is being so buffeted Jilly, there's nothing you can do but hope for the best is there? I finally got Lupin Masterpiece this morning and put it in the car and knocked the top of the flower spike - I have no idea how I did it - I was so grumpy! Washing dry, not heading to the coast so that's good! |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jun 11, 2013 11:31:54 GMT
Who was it that said we need a T & M whinge thread - think it would have a few pages long by now..
Got my seeds from T & M - all there for a change but I haven't ordered for a couple of years as a) I had loads and b) I got some from a German online GC.
Most of the seeds that I have got no longer have a pic on the front.... for usual stuff no problem but when I order something new and interesting to try I find it difficult to remember what it looked like without a pic....
Has this been going on for a while?? If so then I reckon T & M and I are going to going to go separate ways methinks.
RF
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Post by Jilly on Jun 11, 2013 12:26:36 GMT
Do you know Rosefriend I hadn't given it a second thought but you're right, I only ordered a couple of packets from T&M this year & neither had a picture on the front. The strange thing is that my GC does a huge range of T&M & Suttons seeds (which is why I don't need to order hardly any on line any more) and all the T&M seeds have got pictures on the packs there. I bet they're only putting pictures on the varieties that they sell in GCs |
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Post by Auricula on Jun 11, 2013 13:16:56 GMT
The ones you get free with AG magazine have pictures too, so it must just be online customers
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Post by Ladygardener on Jun 11, 2013 18:04:45 GMT
That's true actually, several of the packets I bought this year did'nt have pictures on them, must be a way for them to save money. It'll be interesting to see if the latest lot I've ordered have pictures on them.
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Post by Tig on Jun 11, 2013 19:34:46 GMT
Very few of the T & M seeds I've ordered over the years have come in 'retail' packets, they are mostly just in plain packs with a sticker. Like you I can too easily forget what they look like if it's something new to me, and I then have to make extra notes on the packets. Chiltern seeds never have picture packets though, and as I often like to try something different I tend not to worry about it. I have to google if I order from Chiltern as their catalogue doesn't have pictures just descriptions.
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Post by Jilly on Jun 11, 2013 20:27:57 GMT
Just a thought, perhaps T&M don't put pictures on the packets so that if something totally different comes up, you might have forgotten what you ordered  . Somehow I don't expect pictures with places like Chiltern or Secret seeds, probably because they do so many unusual things it would be quite difficult for them. |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jun 12, 2013 5:18:07 GMT
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Post by isabella on Jun 12, 2013 5:57:58 GMT
Mr. Fothergills are in my bad books  I ordered some Nicotiana sylvestris large plug plants and they arrived a couple of weeks ago. At the time I thought the foliage was greener than usual - sylvestris are a paler green. the leaves didn't grow as large as they should either! I phoned Mr Fothergill and said that I didn't think the plants I had were the right variety - apologies all round,sorry we can't send a replacement as we don't have any more plants and an offer of a refund which I took. One plant is flowering now and it definitely isn't sylvestris !! I suppose it serves me right for not growing them from seed myself but if you order something you should get what you pay for ,shouldn't you?  |
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Post by Barbara on Jun 12, 2013 7:16:15 GMT
It is pretty though Issy. but yes you are right, they should be what you order.
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Post by Tig on Jun 12, 2013 9:06:32 GMT
I think we all agree with the 'you should get what you paid for' isabella - it appears that we are palmed off with whatever they want to substitute (and get rid of) rather than what we are ordering these days. That isn't going give you the height or candelabra effect that sylvestris would have provided. I wonder how many people just accept what they get, or don't even know what to expect and think they have got the right plants! If everyone demanded a refund perhaps they would get it right, or, if they sell out before they remove things from their websites they should email and ask if you want a refund or an agreed alternative. I still haven't had the replacement magnolias from T & M, nor have I had a response to the email I sent telling them that they hadn't arrived! |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jun 12, 2013 10:11:54 GMT
I find T&M rubbish at answering emails and agree with Tig they palm you off with whatever they want to, in my case some trailing pelaronium that are in severe need of TLC. |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jun 12, 2013 10:44:11 GMT
I think this no pic thing must be European standards (see, that's the real reason that the UK wants to leave the EU !!!) as I have just received some seeds from an online GC here and OH asked if I had got the ones that we had talked about, and I said that I hoped so but to open the envelope and have a look...
He did and the outburst was something along the lines of... how the hell are you supposed to know what is in the packet. I don't know all these name - I go by the pics...
Well it's true isn't it - how do beginners learn then?? Of some of the Botanical names that I am not sure of I will print out a thumbnail pic and paste it on the front of the seed packet... OH was really starting to enjoy choosing things and working out where things could go and now he is in a pickle...
I posted on the Dahlia thread that I have been sent the wrong Dahlia, first time ever here in Germany, but when I rang they were so laid back about it, I wonder how often it does happen!! She even wished me a lovely day in the garden...blimey!!
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Jun 12, 2013 10:59:45 GMT
I don't like that there is'nt a picture and quite like AT's range of seeds where he gives good advice and more on the inside of the packets too. Sometimes the information given on the back of the seed packets is brief to say the least.
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Post by isabella on Jun 12, 2013 11:44:19 GMT
I have phoned Mr. F 's head office to tell them how disappointed I am and am now awaiting a phone call from Dwayne - I don't suppose there is anything he can do but at least I have got it off my chest. It has cocked up my planing plans big time.
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Post by Geranium on Jun 13, 2013 5:05:51 GMT
"Dwayne" sounds like a teenager's name. I don't suppose he'll do anything to help. sadly. I bet you're hopping mad, isabella. |
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Post by isabella on Jun 13, 2013 6:20:19 GMT
He did sound young Geranium - he has promised to phone me today as he couldn't get through to wherever he was trying to yesterday. I did lay it on a bit thick about our Opening for the NGS - perhaps I should mention that I write little bits for Garden News,too  I know nothing will happen but why shouldn't they get a bit of aggro - they have caused me some |
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Post by Tig on Jun 13, 2013 8:19:24 GMT
I think it's important to emphasize how their failings impact on your plans, especially when you have put a lot of work into a well planned scheme. Perhaps you could write a balanced article for GN on how supplier 'errors' can cause real headaches for those who are brave enough to use annuals as part of their summer displays. Hope Dwayne manages to get back to you with some positive options, although it is doubtful.
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Post by Auricula on Jun 13, 2013 9:35:30 GMT
The rain and gales are flattening everything  Man-Up plants!!!!! |
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Post by Jilly on Jun 13, 2013 11:20:31 GMT
Same here Auricula , the wind is now coming from the SW as opposed to the NE like the weekend, presumably to bash anything it missed last week. |
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Post by isabella on Jun 14, 2013 12:45:13 GMT
I have phoned Mr. F 's head office to tell them how disappointed I am and am now awaiting a phone call from Dwayne - I don't suppose there is anything he can do but at least I have got it off my chest. It has cocked up my planing plans big time. Dwayne phoned just now -he has been in touch with the nursery that supplies the Nicotiana sylvestris and they are sending some to me asap  |
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Post by Tig on Jun 14, 2013 14:29:46 GMT
Well that's a good result Pam!  to Dwayne - fingers crossed you get sylvestris this time  |
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Post by isabella on Jun 15, 2013 4:04:56 GMT
I hope so,too Tig |
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Post by Geranium on Jun 15, 2013 5:37:54 GMT
Well done, isabella, and good for Dwayne! One of my Hayloft Salvias is on the way to compost heaven. Should I tell Hayloft, and will they respond? Help and advice, please, from Hayloft veterans. |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jun 15, 2013 6:39:02 GMT
Good question Geranium all but 1 of mine are thriving, the one that is'nt looks half dead. They all have the exact same conditions and were potted on in mp with perlite. My little gripe is the wind, it has flattened the Aquilegia Scented Stock and Geum and some of the Geranium which are just into flower this week. Nothing to be done about it and we all have bother with the weather from time to time don't we. |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jun 15, 2013 6:41:42 GMT
OH was saying the other day just how bad the wind seems to have become...we always seem to be having high winds, or have we always and have forgotten. It is so annoying when things get snapped off or the rain and wind flatten everything.... If we stake everything we might as well have a cane garden!!
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Jun 15, 2013 6:57:50 GMT
Yes, I have dozens of canes and supports around the garden but at the same time I like to see the plants/flowers swaying and growing in a normal fashion. This year I am growing lower plants and flowers but with the raised borders some of them are still 3-4 feet tall.
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Post by Jasmine on Jun 15, 2013 7:01:08 GMT
I always let Hayloft know Geranium. Jilly and I got replacement coreopsis as they sent the wrong colour last year and I've had single plants replaced. I think it helps to sound like you know quite a bit about what you're doing otherwise you may get a slightly 'patronising' email about plant care!!!! I've called and emailed about plants that have keeled over. |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jun 15, 2013 7:02:02 GMT
Jasmine thanks, I think I'll email them later today and let them know.
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Post by Jasmine on Jun 15, 2013 7:07:03 GMT
I would make a point of it being 1 out of the 10...along the lines of you know what you're doing as the other 9 are fine Ladygardener! Not a whinge - but salvia related - I've got roots!!!! You were right Jilly - they're easy!!!  |
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. Somehow I don't expect pictures with places like Chiltern or Secret seeds, probably because they do so many unusual things it would be quite difficult for them.
I ordered some Nicotiana sylvestris large plug plants and they arrived a couple of weeks ago. At the time I thought the foliage was greener than usual - sylvestris are a paler green. the leaves didn't grow as large as they should either! I phoned Mr Fothergill and said that I didn't think the plants I had were the right variety - apologies all round,sorry we can't send a replacement as we don't have any more plants and an offer of a refund which I took. One plant is flowering now and it definitely isn't sylvestris !! I suppose it serves me right for not growing them from seed myself but if you order something you should get what you pay for ,shouldn't you?
Man-Up plants!!!!!