Re: box store plants

In a message dated 12/3/2003 11:04:23 AM Central Standard Time, 
gardenchat-owner@hort.net writes:

Given what Patricia said about growing for WalMart; think if I were a
wholesale grower for them I'd want to get out of the business....talk
about micro-management.  Argh!
  I think that was an isolated incidence, perhaps with small local growers. 
Again, I can only speak for South Texas. Most of the growers that I know that 
our local Walmarts, Home Depots and Lowes get their plants from are all the 
same.  These are larger growers that grow plants for nurseries as well as the 
large box stores.  All the plants are the same (same size pot, etc.) at every 
store.  Like Jim mentioned Monrovia and Hines are the leader of the larger plants 
(one gallon and up)...these are top quality plants and carried by nurseries 
as well as box stores.  Even landscapers purchase  directly from these growers. 
 As for the smaller plants, annuals, etc.  these come from a larger grower as 
well, and are purchased equally by many retailers.   

Our local Home Depots and Walmarts also purchase tropicals, orchids, 
bromeliads, etc. from growers in Florida, cacti from Texas, which are 
purchased/ordered off of an availability list from the grower.....the growers give the sizes, 
types of plants, etc.  There is a major competition with growers for these box 
stores to chose from....they do not have to order from these, and can refuse 
if they have gotten nicer plants, better prices, etc. from others.  
These growers are also open to nurseries, or anyone else with a license and 
tax number.

By the way, most box stores here in the Houston area require thier garden 
managers to go through and pass the Master Gardener course. The Lowes stores 
require their garden managers to study for and pass the Texas Nurserymen's Test 
and get a Nurserymens license.  Many if not most of the Sales Reps. for the 
large growers are also Master Gardener certified. 

Noreen
zone 9
Texas Gulf Coast

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