Not many people want to grow flowers from seed. It’s not only difficult, it’s also time-consuming. That’s why most people prefer to head to the shop and buy a pre-grown plant in pots. However, it may wilt or develop other complications after a few weeks at home. These are not necessarily related to poor care. It is not uncommon for sellers to try to sell at any price and for the unknowledgeable customer to miss the signs that the flower is not quite right when it is in the shop. So what should we look out for if we want to enjoy and benefit from the flowers we buy?
Don’t look at the flower, but at the leaves
It is natural for flowers to catch our eye at first sight. That is, after all, their purpose, even if the appearance of the flowers is primarily to attract insects and not mammals. But the vibrant colour and healthy appearance of the flower is relatively easy to encourage in the short term with various sprays or the right fertiliser. It is the leaves that give away the health of the flower, so you should look at them too. The following irregularities should not escape your attention:
- Mold and mycosis germs, which may not be apparent at a cursory glance thanks to chemical sprays
- Unhealthy leaf discoloration and small spots
- Drying leaves for no reason
- Strange structure in leaf or stem tissue
What the soil reveals
The substrate a flower grows in can tell you a lot about its condition. You will usually buy a plant in a shop planted in industrial grower’s substrate. This should be either dry or slightly moist, depending on the type of flower. If the soil is too wet, the plant’s root system risks rotting.
Read the information label
You’ll often come across plants in stores that have been a hit in recent months, but you don’t know much about growing them yet. That’s why it’s always a good idea to study the information label attached to each plant. Maybe you like an ornamental flower that unfortunately won’t grow in your home because your apartment doesn’t get enough sunlight or too much.
Source: https://balconygardenweb.com/mistakes-to-avoid-when-buying-plants-from-nursery-gardening-mistakes/