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whats the difference between the living herb pots from supermarkets and herb bought from the garden centre?
By admin | April 11, 2010
Hi, does anyone know the difference between the living supermarket herbs and the herb plants that you buy at the garden centre. The supermarket ones die very quickly and i have not had any sucess planting them in bigger pots either, how are they different? thanks
Topics: Herb Gardening | 5 Comments »
April 11th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
They are force grown and kept in a Chill unit thats why they die quickly. Garden Centres last as they are grown in the normal way and kept warm and watered
April 11th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Good question, I’ve wondered myself as i’ve found the same problem. My theory is that they are grown in very poor light compost in perfect light/air conditions, fed with liquid fertilizer, then kept very cold and often in the dark before being put on the shelves. the change in conditions is too shocking and even though they look ok, they never thrive. Get them from a farmers market – they will not have travelled so far.
April 11th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
I have had great luck with my supermarket herbs. My rosemary plant that I purchased at my local Publix grocery store is 3 years old, and I have a cilantro plant that is close to 5 years old and will not die no matter what I do to it. Yes I have some others that have not done as well and then others that did very well but the caterpillars ate. My Dill are a great example of this
April 11th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Herbs, flowers, trees, etc…from a garden center are usually better quality to begin with and are much better cared for. That’s why they cost more.
April 11th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
don’t buy any thing from your supermarket especially plant’s ,and if you buy plant’s from the garden centre ,buy the one that’s not flowering and check the condition of the root’s 9 out of ten times it’s pot bound so loosen up the root’s before you plant it in it’s place . don’t buy from BQ either