Morrisons & box bushes

Legacy_user

Bought a couple of 12" high box bushes from Morrisons on Sat. Commented to cashier that soil was baked hard, but folliage showed no signs of deterioration.

I plunged them in water for a few hours, then removed them from their pots.

As the compost came away, the quite lengthy root ball was twisted and turned (as one would hold a handfull of long hair), and there was not one grain of soil/compost attached to the roots, they were in effect cleen as a whistle.

I could imagine they'd been lifted from the ground, washed under a running tap, twisted and pushed into a pot, and three handfulls of compost pushed in.

I rang and informed the store, simply to see how long the guarantee will last, they said "just keep an eye on them". Which is not satisfactory. My gut feeling is that I will take back the pots and receipt and ask for a refund, even though I am hopefull of them growing. But box is slow growing, I shall just have to watch colour and feel the leaves for dryness. Any comment?.

mallory_knox

Personally I would take them back - ive never had trouble with plants from Morrisons, but these dont sound like they stand much of a chance.

magoogy

did you untwist the roots before you planted them? this gives them more of a chance - also, give the box a drink of weak tea (no sugar/milk) every few days and also save any used tea bags and dry them out and then scatter them round the bush - this did wonders for my box bushes and now i have them all round my garden - all from one tiny box - only took about 8 years to get that effect though so have patience. they also like a bit of banana.................

peter_the_piper

I think you should take them back, shrubs and conifers have a habit of dying but not showing it for a month or two. They should not sell plants just lifted and potted until the plants are growing properly. If we have to sell any of our plants so soon the customer is always informed and the choice is up to them.
Peter

Silver+apples

Personally i cant stand morrisons.
I think they are the only major supermarket that still allow smoking.
Not nice when somebody is puffing in to your kids face when they are eating.
so now i steer clear

System

I wondered if anyone would get back over this. I untwined the roots and lay them out fan-like on moist compost and covered with moist compost. I have to say that as yet they haven't looked "sad or listless", and I am of the opinion that they just might be alright. I'm carefully watching the tips of shoots and accept that although they might appear to be growing, like rose stems, there could be an airlock.

Speaking of supermarket type stores that sell plants, I think Wilkinson deserves the Star prize for showing/selling/neglecting plants that can only be suitable for composting.

lilrowan

Silver+apples wrote:

Personally i cant stand morrisons.
I think they are the only major supermarket that still allow smoking.
Not nice when somebody is puffing in to your kids face when they are eating.
so now i steer clear

DEFINITLY AGREE. It really is disgusting. It irritates me that I sit in a no smoking area, but I am sat next to someone fagging away whilst I am trying to eat. I was in the cafe at Kirkstall branch in Leeds once and the till girl was awful, bullying a new girl and generally gurning at all the customers. Yak.

mallory_knox

I must admit I absolutely hate Morrisons. We have a very large, very new one near us - so no excuse about needing updating etc - and the place just gives the general impression of being a bit mucky. I will never buy the cheese etc that has been wrapped on the premises, as it always tastes a bit odd, the fish seems to have been filleted by a five year old, and generally I dont feel confident about the hygiene in the place.
Have noticed a definate lack of deodorant in certain areas as well lol

peter_the_piper

It would seem that some stores leave a bit to be desired. Went to Fort William one whilst on holiday and was quite impressed. It seemed much better than the T and S ones in Hastings which are nearest to me. Have yet to try the Hastings one.
Peter.