Eep, B3. I bought a couple of cheap pelargoniums a month back from Lidl, and suspect teabaggery. I decided to leave them there till it comes to planting out, but your post has prompted me to go in and try and rescue them now.
But I am really surprised at Claire Austin. I have been buying a lot of plugs this year. It takes just a few seconds to remove these things when potting up.
(Speaking of, some nice little plugs from Bedwen Plants in Wales, delivered overnight via Royal Mail 24. Not seen this nursery mentioned on here...
If there are roots coming through the lower part of the teabag/jiffy pot, I snip off the top part with pointy scissors then carefully make a few vertical cuts in what's left.
It's not so bad with plugs where you can see the teabag. Much harder with more mature plants that have already been potted on before you buy them, but sometimes you can see the top of the teabag and get the scissor points in to remove some of it.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
I am very surprised to hear that Claire Austin uses this method. Very disappointing for you @Marlorena. Less experienced gardeners would assume that they have done something wrong when the plant doesn't thrive. How to discourage new gardeners and lose business from experienced gardeners!
They are not the only plants I received from the same source that I've had to dig up and repot.. Some Panicums I got have not grown at all... very poor quality.. the Spigelia's are growing away, surprisingly, I didn't have much hope for them either, but all seems to be well with those..
In contrast, and I know everyone moans about Secret Garden Club, with good reason, I've lost out there too in the past, but I got a whole batch of excellent 9cm pot plants at the same time from them and they're all growing away really well .. and at a 1/3rd of the price.. and no teabags..
In future, at those 'reputable' nursery prices, I'm sticking to 1 litre pots, anything less than that, they can keep..
Never had anything from Claire Austin. So do y'all reckon it's not worth buying plants from there .... easy enough to the add the name to my 'do not buy from here' list (I actually do have a list with that title !)
When there's always biscuits in the tin, where's the fun in biscuits ?
I also had good plants from SGC in the past, as well as from other outlets -Woottens have been superb, and don't tend to buy plugs at all, but even some good quality, mature plants from reputable suppliers can have those damn things. I've lost clematis that way - and all from well known growers.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I tend to avoid buying plugs as they seem to be hit or miss for quality and these tea bags seem awful for plants. I have been buying bare roots more these days (farmer gracy) and have been very happy with the results/quality. Yes they may take a wee bit longer to get going but I am in no rush and enjoy watching them grow and potting them on etc.
Posts
But I am really surprised at Claire Austin. I have been buying a lot of plugs this year. It takes just a few seconds to remove these things when potting up.
(Speaking of, some nice little plugs from Bedwen Plants in Wales, delivered overnight via Royal Mail 24. Not seen this nursery mentioned on here...
So... a little "plug" for them.)
In contrast, and I know everyone moans about Secret Garden Club, with good reason, I've lost out there too in the past, but I got a whole batch of excellent 9cm pot plants at the same time from them and they're all growing away really well .. and at a 1/3rd of the price.. and no teabags..
In future, at those 'reputable' nursery prices, I'm sticking to 1 litre pots, anything less than that, they can keep..
Just saying..
I've lost clematis that way - and all from well known growers.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...