What do you think of Wilkinsons for Plants?

[abby]

I went in the other day to check out the price of pots and was saddened by the very poor state of the plants on sale do you think supermarkets and bargain shops are fit to look after plants ?

[zazen999]

You can pick up a good bargain at these places; but it is very sad when you see the state of some of them.

[Two_Sheds]

I agree with Zaz

You can get some bargains if you know what to look for, but they're shocking on the whole: I've bought so many of their stuff that just dies (they dry out in the shop)

I also caught white rot from their onion sets (well not me, my plot)

[Ouya Mellsa]

I also caught white rot from their onion sets (well not me, my plot)

This year, TS?

I suspect the same from some of their onion sets I planted this year.

[Kiwi_Soph]

I think their stuff normally looks terrible - the seeds I have planted have been fine but the plants themselves are a bit tragic. I usually have to ignore them as much as I can so I don't take pity on them and bring them home like strays!

I did cave when I saw they had chocolate mint though. Took off all the dead leaves and repotted but it is taking an age to rally. Still, I have hope.

[abby]

I felt I wanted to take them all home and give them TLC but that would have encourage them to buy and ill treat more poor plants.. :@(

[rustylady]

Not just Wilkinsons though. Loads of the superstores, B & Q, Homebase, Focus, etc sell plants that are not in good condition. Not too bad for experienced gardeners who know what to look for, but enough to put novice gardeners off for life.

[bronwen]

I tend to agree with you all so far, basically it saddens me to see shelf after shelf of plants that are just left to dry out and wither. My local wilko's seems particularly bad for not watering. It would only take a few moments of their time to water them!
Also they seem to hide some of the trolleys away nowhere near the other plants or gardening items and then you go back a week later and the trolley has been moved nearer to a relevant area but by then everything is just looking sad!
I have rescued a few things but often avoid even looking as I don't want to be disheartened by the lack of care.
At the local Morrisons they seem to have a dedicated member of staff and I have seen her actually checking, watering and rotating their stocks which usually look much healthier than wilko's.
Frustrating when you think it would only take a small amount of time and management to ensure their stock was saleable for longer!

Oh... sorry... that turned into a rant!

[Two_Sheds]

This year, TS?

I suspect the same from some of their onion sets

No, it was last year and the year before that.
This season I've used a new patch of ground and bought my sets elsewhere: no white rot so far