After reading all the abuse suffered at the hands of certain customers, and the neglect from the workers themsleves, sort of makes one think of what one is getting. The health condition beneath the soil, and soon to be decline of the plant not noticed yet at the store.

Then,

I was wondering how many actually examine a plant up closley, no matter where you buy them, looking for pests, and lifting the plant from the pots to make sure the roots look healthy before you bring them home?

I actually bring a magnifying glass now, and I lift each plant from its pot to make sure the roots are healthy.

Do you do any of this?

The last five years, most of my plants are purchased through Ebay, so inspecting beforehand is out. But, as soon as a plant/s arrive, I check for insects.

As for local nurseries opposed to big box stores..There are a few nurseries here I LOVE going to but, 1. they're a long drive, 1 hour, 2. opposite directions. So, if I wanted to shop at different green houses, it'd take a full day..and several hours driving..
Big box stores, like HD's and grocery stores, that sometimes have nice plants are a lot closer..So, I shop at more box stores than green houses.
It's probably better the gh's are far..Can you imagine the number of plants I'd end up with?? lolol..Toni

You are way too funny..I can only imagine how many you would have! You know what is worst, when you drive miles to go to a very good nursery, just to get there and find it is closed on Tuesdays..lol. I was looking all day yesterday for a "foxtail" plant. Do you think I could find one? No...

I have to admit, EVERYTIME I go to a HD, the first thing I do is go to the plant section! Then if I see something quite interesting has come in, and I am going to buy it, I always take a peak at the roots..

Not just there anymore,

2 weeks ago, I went to a nursery where I frequent regulary, and returned a plant that had died from root rot withing 2 weeks of buying it.
I never checked the roots to their plants, always assuming their plants are bought healthy.
Well one "pink lady philodendron" I bought from them almost died quickly after bringing it home. I checked the roots and they were ROTTED! Before I took the blame, I wanted to show them and return it for a better one. Well, the worker there took a look at the roots to the others at my request before I got another, just to find that most their others had completely rotted roots. Brown and mushy! She blamed it on the waterers there. How does anyone know what to expect when they buy plants like this, unless they look closely at them?

I got my money back and realized that even there now, I can't trust bringing a healthy plant home until I first look at the roots and its leaves.

Many of their plants I randomly looked at with my magnifying glass had mites and aphids and mealie..

You learn something new everyday..Now I try to avoid these problems before a plant even leaves for my home, before I waste my money..

I too have gotten a plant only to find root rot! So Now I tip out as many as I can to check roots.

I never buy from a grocery store, mostly big box. Nurserys are so far from me. with the exception of Arid Lands for succulents.

Magnifying glass?? Hmm... time for glasses? he he... I know I need them. :)

Have a good day~
JoJo

Hey Mentha..how have you been? How are you plants doing? Remember the P
Philo you sent? It's beautiful..one of my fav plants..Thanks so much..Toni

Pug..:-((((((((.. I am so sorry to hear it is rare for some big houseplant nurseries for you..I have alot surrounding me...I love to see what I am picking in person, but if had to, I would do as you do..seems to me you have no problem picking the best, because your plants are awsome looking!

Hi mentha!! Where have you been?

Great to see you all!

Mike..:-)

Thank you for the special hello..:)

I love seeing everyones plants, seeing a few friends here, am looking forward to making new ones too. and learning! I dont have much now, but will try some soon. Including citrus..;)

I do have 4 hoyas at the moment, and our beloved pug was great help with those! ;)

JoJo

I do inspect the plants when I buy them and also after I get home too.

My car seems to have a problem...it cant pass nurseries. just seems to be a turning thing....wonder if they have a recall for that one...LOL

Thanks stacey

I just tell hubby it's the darndest thing, the darn things just follow me home!LOL!

Each pay day we treat ourselves to something simple. His is dvds me, plants.

We have a Lowes across the street from walmart, so it's easy to stop in. And home Depot just a few minutes aways. The nursureys are a long drive, so I don't get to them very often.

I have never tried to return a plant, I am bad about keeping receipts.

I have bought plenty of succulents online with good results.

JoJo

You little sneak!

I suppose for me, I look at it this way..I could be spending lots of money on gambling, smoking or drinking, but I think have myself surrounded by plants is much more healthier for me...:-)

Oh ya, I aslo hoard DVD's...

I can only imagine your face when you see the Home Depot sign! Your husdband goes for the construction stuff, and you run for the plant section,right?lol

For some of us, seeing the HD signs is like seeing the arches of McDonalds when you are starving!

Most nursury grown plants just slide out of the pot without losing much dirt, so it's fairly easy to take a look at roots on the smaller pots.

Mike~~
You of all people should know I am full of surprises.:) LOL!

Gosh, you sound like my Mike.. LOL! (DVD's)

Well you have us figures out! ROFL! Yes, we really do seperate the minute inside the door. I like the tools too though.. he he..

I'm going alone tomorrow. need to look for pots. We'll see what follows me home. :)

JoJo

The other has a lot of mainstream plants that are kept very well and always very healthy.

Now, that being said, most of my plants came from Home Depot. My Dragon Trees came from Ikea, and the others came from clipping of plants that were almost dead in some strange places. Check your local dry cleaners for some VERY old very unique plants. I think it might be something to do with the big picture window, heat, and humidity in those places that some great plants can live.

I also prefer to buy plants from these two nurseries in the discount rack or the "NEEDS TLC" section. My Chlorophytum "Fire Flash" was all black with one green leaf when I brought him home. I just harvested a few hundred seeds yesterday.

So in summary....
I love shopping at nurseries, but I will get a plant from anywhere I see something I like.