Ripped off?

16 years ago

Hmm. I bought a Taxus Bacatta Fastigiata Aurea in a 25% price reduction sale two days ago.

It's about 6' x 15"

The colour is good with just a few dead extremities that I put down to clumsiness in a very large and busy national chain nursery. Top growth seems healthy.

Ok, so I came to repot it in a larger container until I can decide where it'll eventually live. On getting it out of the 14" diameter pot I was suprised at the tiny rootball. Think of the opposite of pot bound, just the main large roots, that ended before the pot sides (cut?), few smaller and no filament roots. Also it was in what seemed like 90% sand.

I probably can't return it under sale goods terms but with a good case for bad product I can make an attempt.

Or, am I just panicking?

Sorry if this is a bit scant, I can fill in as needed.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

gardener365
16 years ago
I would in this particular case scratch the roots to see if they're alive 100% or close to. If they are, there's no reason those larger roots won't develop into a very-very strong root system. Go ahead and clip off the ends of several to check there's no rot inside.

It seems like someone may have actually done the job correctly! lol

Dax
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
busy national chain nursery.

====>>>> i am not aware of national NURSERY chains .... do you mean bigboxstore???

sounds like a 6 footer in a what.. 3 or 5 gal pot ....

i think that problems should have been apparent.. but that said... odds are if should live .... but it might take it some time to thrive ...

one thought thou ... i never buy anything.. without pulling it free of the pot at the store. ... and if it wont come out.. that speaks volumes ...

good luck

ken
Related Professionals
Cape Coral Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Gainesville Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Baton Rouge Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Covington Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Ogden Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Rome Landscape Contractors · Vidalia Landscape Contractors · Somerset Landscape Contractors · Tupelo Landscape Contractors · Salinas Landscape Contractors · Missoula Landscape Contractors · Evanston Landscape Contractors · Jackson Home Builders · Vineland Home Builders · Cincinnati Home Builders
severnside
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks guys,

That's reassuring Dax, I didn't check that before repotting it quickly to get it safe but as the top growth is fine I may be able to at least consider it a fair chance that they are sound.

Yes Ken you are right, sorry, not a nursery, I should have said garden centre as they are known here. They don't grow anything. I'll definitely do more inspecion of the roots in future. It could be a long wait but it's a lovely specimen and as long as it's not turning brown I'm winning.