A Shopping Trip You Can Be Proud Of

More people are turning to gardening this year than in any other year before. Most will rush to nurseries and plant stores and buy up all the plants their cart can haul - but before you do this, if you were planning on such a venture:
Even the best of nurseries will have plants that are just not feeling too well. Even if all you do is pick plants by their "looks", healthy plants should have roots that are white. If it is alright with the shop you are in, gently lift the plant from the container to check out the root system. If the roots are spiraling around each other and they look like a ball of white yarn, they are rootbound and should be left where they are. These types of plants will dry out very quickly and will just suffocate themselves and produce nothing. If the roots are very very dark in color and appear "matted", then the plant has a rotting problem and it is best to pass these by as well. If the soil just literally falls away from the roots and you have nothing but a straggle of roots, then these plants are immature and will most likely not bloom in the season you have available.
Everyone loves to see the "flower" on the plant because it is usually bright and enticing. However, plants that are already blooming are using much more energy to keep that flower intact and are not putting the energy into the root system. Buying plants with "buds" is the very best buy and check out that root system. You will be well rewarded with fantastic blooms and harvest because the "calories" are going where they should and life is good for this plant.
An A-1 plant that is healthy will have a rich green color, it will be growing upright and it will "fit" the pot in which it is kept. Yellow leaves are not a good sign and this could come from too much water, not enough water, or a disease. One major rule is that you never buy plants with yellow leaves in the main body of the plant. Like humans, plants can become stressed for a lot of different reasons, and yellow leaves are the indicator that this plant need a "plant doctor."
If a plant you fall in love with just wants to lean to one side, it is not only tired, but in any breeze or wind in the outdoors, it will be not be able to hold its head up high and drink in all the goodness of the sunshine and the rain. Another indication that all is not too well with your plant is a powdery mildew that appears on the upper side of the leaves and resembles a grayish white powder. Other sightings such as brown, fuzzy spots are a no-no and gray or brown spotting on leaves or flowers is a call to put this one back on the shelve.
It may seem that all of this would makes you think that not too many plants out there are vital and healthy. Not true at all - in fact, try to shop for your plants in several trips. This gives you the amount of time you need to really examine your plant choices and come home with an armful of healthy stock, instead of a car load of plant hospital patients. In fact, if trees and shrubs are in your planning, even if you wait until late summer, sale prices are in full swing and there is more than ample time to plant and enjoy. This applies to herbs as well. They are quick growers except if you start from seed, which will take a while longer. Another quick tip is to ask your discount store what day the plants arrive - then plan on shopping on that day. Discount stores do not have the time to take tender loving care of their plants and they are often neglected. This way, off the truck, and you have the pick of your choice.
It is guaranteed that after your first trip, you will have all of this down pat. If the plant looks healthy, and the roots are healthy, then you are well on your way. Planning and preparing a garden is only the beginning of a very rewarding venture. It is in the harvest that you can proudly say, "I grew that", and you can be rightfully proud.
Something to think about
©Arleen M. Kaptur