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Is this rust and should I get a refund?

frustrab26848frustrab26848 Posts: 2
in The potting shed

Hi I hope someone can help?! I bought this brown turkey fig tree online. I suspect it has rust, customer service have said the leaves are preparing for autumnal drop and that discolouration like this is normal and anyway rust is easily treated etc they have declined to refund. Am I within my rights to try to get a chargeback? or am I over worrying and this tree will be fine in the spring as they have insisted? I have bought for someone else who is not a gardener.. thanks Mandy

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited September 2023
    Not something I grow @frustrab26848 , but someone else had a similar query recently. I think the general advice was that it was fine, as it was heading for dormancy. I believe they can be susceptible to rust though.

    I'll see if I can find it, but perhaps someone else will be able to advise in the meantime  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • WaterbutWaterbut Posts: 344
    Has anyone actually been given a refund on trees? Bought two fruit trees one died 3 months later and despite the companies guarantees they never replied to my requests for a replacement which included photos. The other planted close by in the same border was a success.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited September 2023
    Yes it’s rust but I wouldn’t be worrying about it at this time of year. Rust spores are everywhere in the air in the autumn … it’s impossible to prevent it without using chemicals which I choose not to do. 

    Those leaves have done their job and aren’t needed any more to feed the tree. When they fall clear them away … you can bag and bin them if you choose, but I’d compost them. As I said the air is full of rust spores. It doesn’t indicate something inherently wrong with the tree. 

    Hope that helps 😊 



    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • frustrab26848frustrab26848 Posts: 2
    Thank you everyone,  your advice has really helped reassure me. It's good to be able to talk to other gardeners!  :)
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    You’re very welcome @frustrab26848 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    @arossrob not a tree but we had bought a self fertile chinese gooseberry from a local garden centre. No flowers and so no fruit. Went back some years later and asked for advice. We were given free of charge a male and female plant which are growing well but still young.
    Another garden centre refunded us our money on a tree fern that failed in the first year.
    So there are some places which it is worth going back and checking will they refund/replace.
  • SlumSlum Posts: 385
    arossrob said:
    Has anyone actually been given a refund on trees? Bought two fruit trees one died 3 months later and despite the companies guarantees they never replied to my requests for a replacement which included photos. The other planted close by in the same border was a success.
    I bought two crab apples online a few years ago. One died after 6 or so months. Supplier replaced after a couple of emails and a phone call. 
  • Janie BJanie B Posts: 963
    ... and I've just been sent 5 quite pricey hydrangeas to replace the ones I bought online two years ago as it transpires they were not the ones I ordered (although perfectly healthy)
    Lincolnshire
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