40 SEPTEMBER 2019 GARDENING AUSTRALIA
Herearethe things you need to look for
whenyou’re shopping for a plant, so you
don’twaste time or money on a dud.
- What are your impressions of the nursery?
Is it tidy? Do the plants look lush and well
presented, like they are here? Do you see lots
of weeds, or plants with dead flowers, tatty
leaves or broken stems? These are red flags. - When selecting which plant to buy, avoid
anything that has roots coming out the bottom
of the pot, shows signs of yellowing, feels
firm in the pot or is sitting in a very dry mix.
These are all signs that the plant is stressed
or root-bound, meaning it’s less likely to thrive. - If in doubt, ask the salesperson if you can
inspect the plant’s roots. These roots need
to be pruned and teased out before planting,
which is not reasonable if you’re paying full
price. It also sets a lot of plants back. - Inspect the shape of the plant. The tallest
plant is not always the best. If you’re choosing
a shrub, like this camellia, look for something
that is full, bushy and balanced. Look for signs
of insect damage, such as scale, aphids or
mealy bugs. You don’t want to introduce pests
to your garden, and you don’t want your new
plant to start out with a pest problem.
HOW TO
BUY A PLANT
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