( Too ) Early del. of plug plants.

wallbash

Just got an email about the ( confirmed)dispatch of some hanging basket plug plants. Trailing Begonias.
Clearly stating .. 'Delivered from late April at the perfect time for potting on ready to fill your baskets and containers.'

Should I query this?

Sally_A

If you have somewhere to keep them sheltered, you will have the chance to pot them on and give them a better head start.

splodger_seedswapper

i got mini plugs delivered today actually from t&m - but i don't mind tbh - as i would prefer to look after them myself and pot them on etc rather than have them in some huge glasshouse and kept in tiny plug trays

wallbash

Well I have a empty unheated green house , so will manage , just surprised they want to deliver a whole month early.

Ps where would I stand if they became frost damaged.?

Sally_A

We can still get late frosts here up to the 3rd week in May, but I feel sort of safe putting things in the unheated greenhouse from now onwards.

If there was a real dip in temperatures, I'd place the pots on polystyrene packaging I've saved, and rig up a bubble wrap/fleece protection tent for them.

If they did get frosted (are you in the north of the UK?), I'd moan then and expain what steps you had done to protect them - most plant companies seem keener than most other industries to please the customer.

You could even pot up the hanging baskets now and dangle them from the apex of the greenhouse roof, this will give them a chance to get established, and brought out on warm days to gradually harden off.

You've got the chance to grow them on in your own pots - you may even get an inkling of what colour the flowers will be by the time you plant up the baskets, if you are one of those colour co-ordinated type peeps.

peter_the_piper

wallbash wrote: »

Well I have a empty unheated green house , so will manage , just surprised they want to deliver a whole month early.

Ps where would I stand if they became frost damaged.?

If there are frosts you will have to provide some heat as they will not stand going below about 6deg C
I suggest you email them to say you are unable to take delivery before the advertised time as you do not have a heated greenhouse.

[Deleted User]

If it is gardening direct then query your order after checking the supposed dispatch times. Someone in the office is getting orders messed up eg my order for late april to may was sent four weeks ago to the wrong address in the village ie wrong order details as well as address

wallbash

I suggest you email them to say you are unable to take delivery before the advertised time as you do not have a heated greenhouse.

Well that was my first thought , but I was worried in case I was worrying unnecessary.
The colour is all Apricot .

Location Hertfordshire.

This is the first time I have ordered plants . The company is Unwins.
Just a surprise that they could be so early.

wallbash

http://www.unwins.co.uk/trailing-begonia-apricot-shades*-132-plants-pid4004.html

Still advertising late April

Sally_A

Hmm, tried to do a bit of swotting up on Begonias, but can't found anything re temperature - that link to unwins does say to not plant out until May, bearing in mind May can still go down to near freezing overnight.

Maybe give them a call and express your concerns. Does the despatch note state date of delivery, or is it just an email keeping up to date re the order progress?

wallbash

May I confirm despatch of the following items on your order WEB437398, which should be delivered shortly.

If they advertise del Late April , but del late March for plants that are 'tender'?? if they all die , do you think I have a good case.

Don't get me wrong will keep in cold green house and will hope that everything goes well but am concerned. Will ring tomorrow and register my worries.