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17 September 2014
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³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖpage
Lifestyle
Gardening
Part One
Part Two
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Practical planting
Preparing the ground
Buying plants
Choosing healthy plants
How to read the label
Planting
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Choosing healthy plants
Here is a check list of what to look out for:
Flowers
Should match the picture or description the label. If not, and you like the plant, ask staff to identify it for you.
Leaves
Should be unblemished and undamaged.
Check for signs of pests or diseases.
Check the colour – should be a rich green (unless they are meant to be golden or variegated.)
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Stems and branches
Choose bushy plants - branches spreading out evenly all round a central stem.
Choose trees and standard plants with a strong, straight trunk or stem.
Avoid plants with broken branches.
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Compost in the pot
Pots covered with liverworts and moss may indicate overwatering or nutrient shortage.
Avoid pots filled with weeds – they're a freebie you don't want. But don't reject a great plant just on account of a few weeds and bits of moss.
Avoid plants where the compost has dried out.
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Roots
Knock off the pot – gently! And take a look. A good plant will fill its pot with roots.
If you can't knock off the pot, its ‘pot-bound', but if it's healthy, buy it, it's obviously a good grower! Though you might have to cut the pot off.
If a whole heap of compost falls it's too small – put it back.
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Watch the clips on
choosing healthy plants
,
planting preparation
and
sealing your fertiliser
.
Introduction
Preparing the ground
Buying plants
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Choosing healthy plants
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How to read the label
Planting
Test your knowledge
Go further
View plant lists on:
Alpines
Bulbs
Clematis
Evergreen plants
Grafted plants
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³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Gardening database
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Watch video clips on:
Choosing healthy plants
Planting preparation
Sealing your fertiliser
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