Brenda Beust Smith photo
These geraniums were lucky. I planted them immediately.
Drat, drat, drat.
I don’t think it’s due to the past winter.
I think it’s Revenge of the Plant Gods.
I think they’re punishing me back for all the plants that have died sitting on my driveway/patio/carport waiting to be planted. Drying out. Suffering. Wilting. Giving up the ghost.
I’M SO SORRY!
I could asseverate never to do it again. But they know, and I know, I will. I swear I don’t buy that many plants. I’m sure they must be accreting on their own out there.
So … here’s a case of do-what-I-say-don’t-do-what-I-do.
How can you tell how long a plant will last in its nursery pot? You can’t.
Generally speaking, I’d suspect the cheaper the plant, the more likely its planting medium will dry out more quickly. Most color plants are in a medium that, once it completely dries out, is almost impossible to rehydrate.
That’s why, when you get plants home, ideally you should plant them immediately.
Dig the hole, fill the hole with water and wait for it to completely drain out. (If the water doesn’t completely drain out, this spot may need to be raised for healthy plant growth).
Gently loosen the roots, especially if they are growing in a circular pattern around the outside of the rootball. If you don’t loosen them, they may continue to grow in that circular pattern. Not a good thing.
Plant, water again, and mulch well.
If you can’t plant immediately, either;
1. dig a hole in a remote, shady spot and set the plant right in that hole, pot and all. Don’t forget about it!
2. set the plants in a shallow tray filled with about an inch of water. Into this put about a 1/3 dose of fertilizer. Just a little. Less is better.
Set this tray in the shade. Every other day, put another inch of water in there. No more. You don’t want to rot the roots, just to keep those tender rootballs from drying out.
Then plant as quickly as possible.
Don’t make the Plant Gods mad at you, too!
Any other tips you can share about what to do with plants when you get them home if you can’t plant them immediately?