Nursery Experts: This summer I bought tons of plants at discount (less than $3). Are these "different"

Question

If you've followed some of my posts you'd know that I like to experiment with new plants, and I especially love the "discount rack" for putting into action some unexplored ideas I have about beauty (otherwise unattainable due to monetary contstraints).

I buy "discounts" because I think I have powers to make puny plants look terrific by the next season.

The dollar rack plants ALWAYS look puny.

What is the criteria for discounting plants at an upscale nusery?

On my own I can come up with a some acceptable ones which make me think its ok to buy from the dollar rack: "These plants are out of bloom and not currently attractive to buyers." and "The nusery has an over-surplus of these plants and it cost to much to maintain them."

Do I ever need to be concerned about these reasons?

"This plant is sick. Cut off the bad parts and sell the rest"
"This plant is not blooming as it should, its a bastard color (or whatever) but we can still make a profit"

Is ok to buy off the dollar rack?

Answer 1

Wow! You are gutsy. First, yes the end of lots can end up on the sales rack. They can't devote the square footage for just one plants. More often though it is a plant that is not in ideal sales condition. This can be end of flowering, but more likely mishapen or some other "blemish." I say "blemish" because someone knowledgeable can tell the difference between a blemish and an Uh Oh! Not all nurseries will sell their Uh Ohs but rather trash them.

Insect and disease ridden plants run the risk of being discovered by the Dept. of Agriculture which inspects nurseries thru the season. They don't want new, nasty problems coming into the state/community. Even selling plants loaded with common insects doesn't set one up well with the inspectors.....you get written up.

Finally there are plants that may look fine, but have suffered seriously and are just not strong enough to give a guarantee. For example a plant that wilted badly can be watered and revived, but the root damage may be such the plant is now weak and prone to more problems. When a root dries, it dies. It takes time and energy to make new roots, meanwhile the survivors must supply the whole plant......tricky.

So, if you are shopping the bargain table realize you may be finding plants that have suffered severe problems and are just hanging on, plants that might be infested (look closely) or plants that are just not up to the establishment's standards. If you approach it as a challenge and game, have at it!

Answer 2

Dumbdumb, your screen name is a poor choice, I think you're very with it, and smart.

If you can buy plants on discount, for either of the first two reasons you thought of, of course they'll be fine and even better for the extra care. The color reason too, for that matter. If you can stand the color ;)

Now the next area is the risky one. I have worked at independent garden centers my whole career. While I was just a "yard guy" or salesman... I had to put plants that were 'unsalable' onto the discount rack. Once I was manager, that stopped, but you can definitely find dead plants or plants that will never recover on the dollar rack. Look for bugs, diseases and damage. If those things are present, or you think they might be... avoid those plants.

As for inspectors... most independents abide by their rules, however it is likely that the inspector might only come once or twice per year. If you know they aren't coming back this year... you're clear. As for the mass merchants. They take their fines in stride.

When I open my store... I want employees like you!

Good luck-

Answer 3

The first thing I learned in college in horticulture was: you can't make a pretty plant out of an ugly plant......exactly what you are saying....learn to propagate (I will help you and others, too)....go to friends, public places, take cuttings and off you go for the real fun of growing..

Answer 4

I had tons of potted annuals we got for 99 at our gardening center like late June. They were glorious. We have begonias , geraniums and the tubes from the Dalia are taken in. We probably have the worlds largest geraniums they are three feet high and just as wide.

Answer 5

Of course, as long as your willing to nurse the babies back to health.

I do the same thing.

Answer 6

I like your philosophy. keep doing what you're doing!

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