Was interested to read a comment of complaint that somebody had bought an aubergine seedling from a garden centre and that the variety had been unnamed. I find this infuriating too. If it does well, (or badly) I want to know whether to repeat growing it again next year or to try a different variety. Although I grow most of my veggies from seed I do occasionally need to buy seedlings from garden centres when my own have failed to germinate and I hate "buying in the dark".
Is there any way we can collectively put pressure on the growers of these seedlings to name the varieties, and if so, to whom do we direct our request?
Unnamed seedlings sold in Garden Centres
Moderators: KG Steve, Chantal, Tigger, peter, Chief Spud
Hi Primrose,
I feel that the answer if very simple. Simply do not buy them and make it abundantly clear why you are not buying to the Nursery Staff.
I rather think that most plants are labelled and somehow the labels become detached from the container.
In smaller nurseries they would be able to tell you
as they will have grown them the trouble only really occurs in Plant Centres and mainly plant centres. It is my opinion that very few plant centre staff couldn't give a fig for anything or anyone.
Sue, If you read this I know that you work in a Plant Centre and I know you are not like that but I wonder just how many of your colleagues are.
JB.
I feel that the answer if very simple. Simply do not buy them and make it abundantly clear why you are not buying to the Nursery Staff.
I rather think that most plants are labelled and somehow the labels become detached from the container.
In smaller nurseries they would be able to tell you
as they will have grown them the trouble only really occurs in Plant Centres and mainly plant centres. It is my opinion that very few plant centre staff couldn't give a fig for anything or anyone.
Sue, If you read this I know that you work in a Plant Centre and I know you are not like that but I wonder just how many of your colleagues are.
JB.
I totally agree. I would never buy or plant anything without knowing its pedigree. If all KG members and other gardeners shunned sellers who did not state this then perhaps the message would get across. I wish the EU would take this one up instead of busying themselves making life difficult for growers.
Allan
Allan
Getting the Eu involved would just complicate matters.
As a taster, the Gettysburg address ran to nearly 300 words, the latest Eu rules for the sale of cabbages runs to in excess of 26,000 words.
As a taster, the Gettysburg address ran to nearly 300 words, the latest Eu rules for the sale of cabbages runs to in excess of 26,000 words.
There are very strict rules in the commercial horticulture world about certification of traceability of stock, also purity of seed strains,if it gets that far then why should the customer depend on the whim of the Garden Centre as to whether he is to be told exactly what he is buying. If you buy an individual apple there is a label on it!
Allan
Allan
Hi Johnboy - my limited experience so far is in specimen stock. My first place bought almost everything in from Italy, but I was growing my own 10L herbaceous. Got told to stop and buy that in as well so got fed up & moved on - just a plant supermarket in my eyes then 
I did a stint in a small independant garden centre, but it wasn't me so moved on again. Luckily my new place is the big stock I like, has a big production unit and prides itself on it's horticulturalists and their knowledge, so best of all worlds 
Even though the garden centre was an independant, the baby veg plants were all bought in and came with point of sale already attached. We sold loads, but they all had the variety names on them and we were able to offer advice on how and why.
I totally agree that it's the large chains that are the worst culprits. The market is depressed, everyone is feeling the squeeze and paying peanuts for staff (hence predominance of monkeys around who don't know an aubergine from an aster) There is also a sinister culture change underway. Dobies earlier this year were advertising for garden centre managers - horticultural experience not required - more interested in your retail qualifications. That tells you everything you need to know about how much plant knowledge is valued in their operation
I vote with my feet and support my little locals, where they still employ proper plant people. They may be a bit scruffy and down at heel compared to the big glossy chains, but they are miles better in my eyes
Sue
I did a stint in a small independant garden centre, but it wasn't me so moved on again. Luckily my new place is the big stock I like, has a big production unit and prides itself on it's horticulturalists and their knowledge, so best of all worlds
Even though the garden centre was an independant, the baby veg plants were all bought in and came with point of sale already attached. We sold loads, but they all had the variety names on them and we were able to offer advice on how and why.
I totally agree that it's the large chains that are the worst culprits. The market is depressed, everyone is feeling the squeeze and paying peanuts for staff (hence predominance of monkeys around who don't know an aubergine from an aster) There is also a sinister culture change underway. Dobies earlier this year were advertising for garden centre managers - horticultural experience not required - more interested in your retail qualifications. That tells you everything you need to know about how much plant knowledge is valued in their operation
I vote with my feet and support my little locals, where they still employ proper plant people. They may be a bit scruffy and down at heel compared to the big glossy chains, but they are miles better in my eyes
Sue