Tết (Lunar New Year) is a very important festival for Vietnamese people. When Tết comes, everyone goes shopping and one essential item is plants and flowers to decorate their homes. Based on the experience of wise housewives, smart Tết shopping should avoid 7 types of plants, or else it will result in losing money and having unhealthy plants.
1. Plants grown in garden soil
Many plants are planted in pots using garden soil to reduce costs and for convenience. This seems normal, but it is actually problematic. If plants are grown in garden soil, the soil dries out slowly and becomes lumpy. Over time, the soil becomes compacted, water cannot fully penetrate the roots which leads to water accumulation, root rot, and eventually plant death.
When you buy flowers or plants, try to buy ones that are still in their original soil and also buy a bag of nutrient-rich soil. After bringing them home, you can transfer them to beautiful pots and add the nutrient-rich soil for plant growth. As long as you don’t plant them in oversized pots and use appropriate soil for each plant, the plants will maintain their beauty and freshness just like when you first bought them.
2. Plants grown in tall pots
When buying certain beautiful flowers, such as hanging lantern flowers, people plant them in tall vases for a cascading effect, which looks very beautiful. Other plants like money plants, kamquat trees, and lucky plants are also often grown in tall pots. When you bring them home, you may see the plants continue to grow well, but that’s because they were just brought from the nursery and have not encountered any issues yet.
In reality, these tall pots usually have garden soil at the bottom, which is not suitable for long-term plant growth. Moreover, plants grown in such tall pots are difficult to survive even if you replace the soil with nutrient-rich soil that has good air circulation. The reason is that with tall pots, you have to water the plants more to ensure the water reaches the bottom. In this case, the water cannot fully drain, resulting in dry soil on top and waterlogged soil at the bottom. As a result, the plant roots are prone to rot. If the soil in the pot is garden soil, the chances of root rot increase even more. Therefore, consider carefully before buying this type of plant.
3. Overly eye-catching plants
At the flower market, you may see some plants with bright colors, glossy leaves, and vibrant appearances. Be careful not to be fooled by their visual appeal. Most plants with unusually bright and shiny leaves have been sprayed with whitening agents. When these plants are sprayed with whitening agents, the leaf surfaces become covered, making it difficult for the leaves to breathe. They will quickly turn yellow, wither, and eventually die. Therefore, when buying plants, choose ones that appear naturally green instead of overly bright and beautiful ones.
4. Plants with fake flowers and fruits
In addition to dyed flowers and sprayed flowers, there are also many plants with fake flowers and fruits made of glue or plastic. Their fake flowers and fruits are so skillfully attached that they are hard to detect with the naked eye.
Therefore, you must observe carefully and be cautious to avoid buying unfamiliar plants or flowers with abnormal blooming patterns. You should also carefully inspect plants with attached fruits to avoid buying ones with glued fruits. Otherwise, you may end up with withered and empty plants, losing both money and trust.
5. Multiple plants in one pot
Recently, many plant sellers tend to choose multiple types of plants to create a beautiful plant arrangement, but it is not sustainable.
The reason is that each plant has different soil, environmental, and water requirements. If you plant them together in one pot, it will be difficult to water and care for each plant properly. Some plants may receive too much water, while others may receive too little. Some plants prefer sunlight, while others prefer shade. As a result, the plant roots will definitely rot, leaves will be cramped, and the overall appearance of the plant arrangement will be compromised. To have a beautiful plant arrangement without the hassle of maintenance, when buying flowers or plants, it is better to buy each species separately and avoid buying arrangements with multiple plants.
6. Dyed plants
In flower markets, you can find many types of succulents dyed in vibrant colors such as blue, yellow, and red, especially cacti and water lilies.
These plants have been sprayed or dipped in dye before being brought to the flower market. The dye covers the entire plant surface, making it unable to breathe. In mild cases, the plants will regrow their original green color, while in severe cases, the entire plant will wither and die.
7. Plants sprayed with pesticides
The entire plant that has been sprayed with pesticides will not exhibit normal growth characteristics. If you bring them home and plant them in a place with insufficient light, they may last for a month or two. If you expose them to direct sunlight, the leaves will wither and the plants will die. You will not only lose money but also feel frustrated. Moreover, your luck will also decrease.
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