not everyone has a local dealer with all the newest and best stuff ... so many must rely on mail order ...

i really never expect much beyond living through the summer for new plants .... mail order plants were divided last summer for sale this spring .... they are not really prepared to explode or anything .... minor cosmetic damage means little ... even to the point of total leaf destruction ... they all reflush in mid summer ...

i have also gotten the crushed package.. its much more disappointing with conifers, when the leader has been broken off ... now that can take years to 'fix' ...

ken

what local places do you go to?
what hostas are you looking for?

I strongly recommend you check out a vendor on eBay named Beth Wright. I ordered from her the first time last week. I was shocked and thrilled at the HUGE divisions and healthy root systems. She advertizes the biggest divisions on eBay, and frankly, I've never seen better.

The leaves did crumple, but that is totally unimportant to me, since I soaked them, potted them and put them in filtered light and after a week, they're all perking up and straightening out.

I swear she sent them overnight, too. One fast woman. I'm a pretty experienced eBay buyer and don't mess with Sellers who are chinzy. She's a good one, I must say.

We have a lot of nurseries in this area, but with second auctions being $1.00, and them starting at less than $3.00? Do the math. :)

Hope this helps,
Christine

greenguy - Cahoons or a day trip out east to the Ruh's. I have been to Van Wade's down south too. I will be checking out Cahoons the week of the 21st.

I'm looking for Holy Mole, Aardvark, Snowden, Super Bowl and Super Nova.

Christine - Thanks for the tip. I have never bought anything on eBay. Is there a listing to choose from?

Deb

Deb,

If the box was damaged in shipping I would think it would be the shippers responsibility to replace the damaged plants or make good on it in some way. Did you contact the nursery to let them know? At least they will know to try and prepare the shipment better and at best you might get some new plants.

Might be worth a shot.

Chris

I went to cahoons last sunday with my son so we didn't get there until 2p.m. and they were covering up all the hostas because they were worried about the cold temps. that night. I was not very happy to say the least - they don't close until 6 and by covered i mean you can't even look at them. If you want let me know when you are going to go and maybe i can meet you there with a super nova - are you sure you want one??

Thanks for the the offer greenguy. I'll let you know next week if that's OK and yes I would love a Super Nova! Just let me know the price.

Chris, you are right, I should contact the supplier and at least clue him in on the delivery end.

Good weekend to all and Happy Mothers Day to the Mom's out there.

Deb

If the shipper was UPS, I'd have to say I wouldn't be surprised. Everything I've ordered this year that was shipped UPS arrived with the boxes looking like they'd been stomped on, slammed around, and beat with a club. One thing I ordered was glass, and it was not cheap. The shipper had packaged it well, surrounded by thick styrofoam that was molded to the shape of the item. The box had "Fragile" stamped all over it. Well, guess what? The item was shattered in little pieces. I was so angry! It's to the point that I cringe anytime I order something, and get shipping confirmation that it was sent UPS. I've never received anything shipped by the Post Office that was damaged. In my opinion, the post office does a MUCH better job than UPS.

Deanna

How does one go about locating Beth Wright on e-bay? Would like to know what hostas she has for sale.
Vicki

Vicki, I was just about to ask the same thing! I went to eBay's advanced search and put in "Biggest divisions on eBay" and found it: her seller name is bentleygardens. She has 100% positive feedback. I'm gonna try her.

Susan

Here is a link that might be useful: Bentley Gardens eBay store

I've had good luck on ebay with DigginDutchman. His name is John, and he's a heckuva nice guy. Others here have used him too.

Thanks for the link to Bentley Gardens eBay; here's one for DigginDutchman. He sells on eBay as hostabargains.

Here is a link that might be useful: John DigginDutchman / Hostabargains eBay Seller

Well, I guess I was wrong about Bentley Gardens being Beth Wright. It's a man, according to the info about paying. Give me a big DUH! I'm going to give Bentley a try anyway.

Susan

I am not with Bentley Gardens. I have an ebay store and my id name is bethwright1.

THEY ARE HOSTA .... geez ....

damaged or not.. throw them on the driveway .. and they will probably live ....

EVERY hosta i ordered by mail was damaged in some way .. mostly from being pulled from the earth .. and wrapped in plastic.. and mailed across country ....

but that is how it is done ...

expect nothing from a hosta the year you get it ... it was divided last year .. or it was an immature TC .... and it needs to grow roots to get bigger ...

hail/twigs/slugs .. etc.. everything will damage your pristine plant ... so what if UPS does it first ...

ken

Yes, Beth Wright is not Bently Gardens, but they're fine, too.

Big Auction sends roots. As Ken says, they're hosta, throw them down, swear at them and you'll have a plant. Sure 'nuff, I potted my roots and they're just breaking through with leaves now, after 2 weeks. I admit to being superficial, I guess. I love seeing the color of the hosta. John's a nice guy, though, the roots were substantial, his prices are great, he offers 2nd chance auctions and communicates well.

I guess it's hard not to with me. This might come as a surprise to you, but I talk a lot.

Christine

I was at Cahoon's a few weeks ago, and they are stocked! Go if you can! greenguy, sorry to hear about your trip.